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The Immigration Department arrested six illegal workers and four people suspected of employing them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight" on November 25.
During the operation, Immigration Task Force Officers raided 12 target locations in various districts, including restaurants, markets, public refuse collection points and a residential unit under decoration. The illegal workers comprised three men and three women aged 28 to 52. Moreover, one woman and one man were suspected of using and in possession of forged Hong Kong identity cards. Three men and one woman, whose ages ranged from 43 to 55, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
All the illegal workers were detained for questioning.
Moreover, two illegal Vietnamese workers, who had been working as cleaners, were arrested at a Chinese restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui during an anti-illegal workers operation on November 23. After a thorough investigation, they were each charged with one count of illegal remaining in Hong Kong, one count of using a forged Hong Kong identity card and one count of being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. On November 25 they appeared at Sha Tin Magistrates' Courts, were convicted of the above offences, and jailed for 22 months.
"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.
Ends/Friday, November 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:07
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