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A noodle stall owner, who employed four Mainland visitors, has been jailed after appearing at Shatin Magistrates' Court today (January 2).
The 52-year-old male defendant, Wong Shing-fung, was charged with four counts of being the employer of a person not lawfully employable. He was jailed for six months on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.
Immigration investigators conducted an anti-illegal worker operation at a noodle stall in Central on May 31, 2007. Four Mainland visitors were found working as stall assistants and cashiers.
The defendant admitted he was the owner of the restaurant and being responsible for employing staff. He employed the Mainlanders without inspecting their documents.
The four Mainlanders previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced to six to 10 weeks imprisonment for breaching their conditions of stay.
The Immigration Department warned 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.
Visitors are not permitted to take up employment in Hong Kong, 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 two years' jail.
Ends/Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:39
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