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A total of 22 suspected illegal workers and 15 employers/persons-in-charge were arrested in a series of anti-illegal employment operations jointly conducted by the Labour Department, the Police and the Immigration Department in the last week in various districts including Chai Wan, North Point, Western District, Kwun Tong, San Po Kong, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Sheung Shui.
In the operations, the enforcement officers raided 37 suspected spots, including retail shops, eateries, renovation sites, foot massage parlours and elderly care homes to combat illegal employment.
Among the 22 suspected illegal workers arrested, 14 were working as waiters, general workers and cleaning washers in eateries, six were working as shop assistants, one as renovation worker, and one as general worker in elderly care homes.
All 22 illegal workers came from the Mainland, and 11 of them were overstayers. The majority of the suspected illegal workers came from Guangdong, Fujian and Guangxi Provinces.
A total of 15 employers/persons-in-charge of the workplaces where suspected illegal workers were detected were also taken to the police stations for investigation.
A spokesman for the Labour Department said, "The Government is committed to protecting the employment opportunities of local workers by combating illegal employment. Since January this year, the Labour Department has conducted 155 joint operations with other enforcement departments to combat illegal employment. We will continue with vigorous action to deter these illegal activities."
"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," the spokesman 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/Friday, October 24, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:32
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