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The Immigration Department arrested five illegal workers and six people suspected of employing them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight" yesterday (December 13).
During the operation, Immigration Task Force Officers raided seven target locations in various districts, including restaurants, retail shops and a residential unit under renovation. The illegal workers comprised two men and three women aged 35 to 56. Moreover, one woman was suspected of using and in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Four men and two women, whose ages ranged from 34 to 59, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
All the illegal workers were detained for questioning.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman also warned that it was an offence to use or possess a forged identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it was an offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's identity card or, if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card, his/her valid travel document. The maximum penalty for failing to do so is a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for one year. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down sentencing guidelines in 2004 reaffirming that it was a serious offence to employ someone who was not legally employable, and stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
To step up publicity campaigns against the hiring of people not lawfully employable and to raise public awareness of the serious consequences of unlawful employment, pamphlets were distributed by Immigration Task Force members today (December 14) to exhibitors at the 45th Hong Kong Brands and Products Expo, held in Victoria Park.
Ends/Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:22
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