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A joint enforcement operation codenamed "Champion" was mounted by the Immigration Department and Police Force yesterday (April 20) in New Territories North to combat illegal employment activities and resulted in 15 arrests.
Operation "Champion" began at 8.30am and ended at 6pm yesterday. Law enforcement officers raided 30 workplaces in Pat Heung, Tin Shui Wai and Ta Kwu Ling districts, including recycling depots, warehouses, industrial buildings, logistics companies, car park loading areas and construction sites. In this operation, 12 illegal workers, two overstayers and one employer were arrested. The illegal workers are 10 men and two women, aged between 21 and 43. Among them, two people were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit employment.
"It is an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order to take any employment or to establish or join in any business. Offenders are liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three years," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it was an offence to employ people who were not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down a sentencing guideline in 2004 reaffirming that it was a serious offence to employ someone who was not legally employable, and the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:38
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