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Nineteen suspected illegal workers and nine employers/persons-in-charge were arrested in anti-illegal employment operations jointly conducted by the Labour Department and the Police yesterday and today (September 18 and 19) in various districts on Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon.
In the two-day operation, labour inspectors and the Police had raided twenty-five suspected spots, including retail shops, eateries, renovation sites and foot massage parlours, etc. to combat illegal employment.
Among the nineteen suspected illegal workers arrested, twelve were working as shop assistants, three working as foot masseurs, two working as cleaners, one as renovation worker and one as kitchen helper.
Seventeen illegal workers came from the Mainland, among whom one had over-stayed in Hong Kong. Of the two remaining illegal workers, one was a foreign domestic worker and the other could not produce proof of identity.
A total of nine employers/persons-in-charge of the workplaces where suspected illegal workers were detected were also taken to the police stations for investigation.
Senior Labour Officer, Mr Ernest Ip, said the Government was committed to protecting the employment opportunities of local workers by combating illegal employment.
"Since January this year, the Labour Department has conducted 128 joint operations with other enforcement departments to combat illegal employment. We will continue with vigorous action to deter these illegal activities," he said.
"Employing illegal workers is a serious offence. Even a first-time offender will be sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Employers should not breach the law," he added.
The Labour Department urged people to report illegal employment to its hotline 2815 2200. All information provided will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:55
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