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The Immigration Department arrested 26 illegal workers and 11 people suspected to have employed them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation from May 3 to 6.
Immigration Task Force officers raided 50 target locations in various districts including restaurants, a joss sticks and papers warehouse, stalls, a garbage depot, retail shops and a residential unit under decoration. The illegal workers comprised 10 men and 16 women aged between 20 and 46. Among them, five were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit employment.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, whether paid or unpaid, without the prior permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for two years. It is also 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/Thursday, May 6, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:56
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