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Twenty-four suspected illegal workers and 13 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 past week (September 23 to 29).
Operations were conducted in Chai Wan, North Point, Sau Mau Ping, Hung Hom, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok, Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Lok Ma Chau and Tin Shui Wai.
In the operations, enforcement officers raided 45 suspected spots, including retail shops, eateries, renovation sites, foot massage parlours and a cemetery to combat illegal employment.
Among the 24 suspected illegal workers arrested, 11 were working as renovation workers, five were shop assistants in retail shops, five were working as waiters, cooks or general workers in eateries, two were foot masseurs and one was a general worker in a cemetery.
All the suspected illegal workers came from the Mainland and two of them had over-stayed in Hong Kong. The majority of them came from Guangdong, Hainan and Fujian Provinces.
A total of 13 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 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/Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:04
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