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An anti-illegal worker operation today (December 29) in the New Territories to combat illegal employment activities resulted in 36 arrests. The operation involved the Immigration Department, Hong Kong Police and the Labour Department. The Government Flying Service also deployed a helicopter to assist in the operation.
The operation, which began at 8am today and ended at 5pm, resulted in the arrest of 33 illegal workers and three employers. During the operation, immigration, police and labour officers raided 42 workplaces in Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi, Sha Tin, Pat Heung, Tin Shui Wai and Ta Kwu Ling districts, including recycling depots, warehouses, industrial buildings, logistics companies and car park loading areas, and checked 293 people's proof of identity.
Among the arrested workers, five were non-ethnic Chinese illegal immigrants, two were non-ethnic Chinese visitors, one was a Chinese illegal immigrant and 25 were Mainland visitors. Among the non-ethnic Chinese arrestees, seven were holders of recognisance forms.
"The Immigration Department will continue to strengthen law enforcement to combat unlawful employment now that the amended ordinance is in effect. It is an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order to take up employment, whether paid or unpaid, or to establish or join in any business. Offenders are liable to a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three years," an Immigration spokesman said.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it was an offence to employ people who were not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down a sentencing guideline in 2004 reaffirming that it was a serious offence to employ someone who was not lawfully/legally employable, and the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Issued at HKT 19:06
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