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Two illegal workers were jailed for 15 months by Sha Tin Magistrates' Court on January 22.
During an anti-illegal workers operation on January 20, two female illegal workers, comprising one overstayer, 28, and one illegal immigrant, 31, were found wearing aprons, gloves and rubber boots, and washing dishes in the kitchen of a noodle stall in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.
During an identity check, the overstayer produced an Immigration recognisance form while the illegal immigrant failed to produce any proof of identity.
Records revealed that the overstayer was a former domestic helper whose contract was prematurely terminated on January 4, 2009. She was arrested for overstaying on March 21, 2009, and was convicted. A removal order was served upon her on April 23, 2009. She lodged a torture claim on May 4, 2009, and was released on her own recognisance on May 14. Further investigation revealed that she had used the Hong Kong identity card of a friend for an employment interview. She was then employed as an odd job worker in the noodle stall at a monthly salary of $6,500.
The illegal immigrant sneaked into Hong Kong from Shenzhen by boat in early October 2009. Further investigation revealed that she had used a forged Hong Kong identity card with her photograph for the employment interview. She was then employed as an odd job worker in the noodle stall at a monthly salary of $6,000.
The overstayer pleaded guilty to one count of taking employment while being a person on whom a removal order was in force and one count of using an identity card relating to another person. The illegal immigrant pleaded guilty to one count of taking employment while being a person who remained in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after having landed in Hong Kong unlawfully and one count of using a forged identity card. They were each jailed for 15 months.
"The Immigration Department will continue to strengthen law enforcement to combat unlawful employment now that the Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2009 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 to imprisonment for three years," an Immigration spokesman said.
The spokesman warned that it was an offence for any person to use or have in his custody or possession an identity card which related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and imprisonment for 10 years.
Under the laws of Hong Kong, anyone who, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, uses a forged identity card are liable to prosecution. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and imprisonment for 10 years.
Ends/Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 19:17
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