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Twenty-two suspected illegal workers and 10 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 this week.
The operations were in various districts on Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories, including Chai Wan, North Point, Hung Hom, Yau Ma Tei, Tsim Sha Tsui, Mong Kok, Sham Shui Po, Sheung Shui and Tin Shui Wai.
Enforcement officers raided 37 workplaces with suspected illegal employment activity, including retail shops, eateries, renovation sites, cemetery, waste-recycling shops, foot massage parlours, laundry, bakery and godown.
Among the 22 suspected illegal workers arrested, 10 were working as cooks, waiters and kitchen cleaners in eating places. Eight of the others were working as general workers, two as shop assistants and two as foot masseurs.
Twenty-one suspected illegal workers came from the Mainland, including whom three had over-stayed in Hong Kong. The remaining suspected illegal worker was a foreign domestic worker who was found taking up non-domestic work. The majority of the suspected illegal workers came from Guangdong and Fujian Provinces.
Ten employers/persons-in-charge of the workplaces where suspected illegal workers were detected were also taken to 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, the Labour Department has conducted 79 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, May 22, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:51
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