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The Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 came into force today (November 14). It is an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or from establishing or joining in any business. A person committing the offence is liable to a fine of $50,000 and to imprisonment for three years.
After the commencement of the amendment of the Immigration Ordinance, Immigration Department, together with Hong Kong Police and Labour Department mounted an anti-illegal worker operation today at the New Territories to combat the illegal employment activities.
The operation commenced at 8am today (November 14) and ended at 5.30pm on the same day. The operation resulted in the arrest of 29 people, including 22 illegal workers and seven employers. During the operation, immigration, police and labour officers raided 76 workplaces in Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Pat Heung and Ta Kwu Ling districts, including recycling depots, warehouses, industrial buildings, logistics companies and car park loading areas, and checked 205 persons' proof of identity.
Among the 22 arrested illegal workers, eight were non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants, nine were non-ethnic Chinese visitors and five were Mainland visitors. Among the non-ethnic Chinese arrestees, eight of them were holders of recognizance forms.
"The Immigration Department will continue its efforts to combat immigration offenders and prosecute employers who hire illegal workers," the spokesman stressed.
Ends/Saturday, November 14, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:16
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