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Twenty-one suspected illegal workers and nine employers have been arrested in a series of operations conducted jointly by the Labour Department, the Police and the Immigration Department in the past week (October 11-18) to combat illegal employment.
A total of 33 spots in the territory, including Chai Wan, North Point, Western District and Tsuen Wan were raided in the operations.
Of the 21 suspected illegal workers arrested, seven were found working as sales assistants in retail shops, seven as waiters, kitchen helpers or cleaners in eating places, three as workers in covered renovation sites, one as a foot masseur in a foot massage shop and the remaining three as general workers at a cemetery.
Seventeen suspected illegal workers were Mainland visitors holding valid two-way permits while one was an overstayer. The majority of them came from Guangdong and Fujian Provinces. The remaining three illegal workers could not produce proof of identity.
During the operations, nine employers or persons-in-charge of the workplaces where suspected illegal workers were detected were taken to police stations for investigation.
Senior Labour Officer of the Labour Department, 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 135 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 said.
The Labour Department urged people to report illegal employment to its hotline 2815 2200. All information provided will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Thursday, October 18, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:53
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