*********************************
The Immigration Department yesterday (October 25) arrested 11 illegal workers and four people suspected of employing them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight".
The operation began at 8am and ended at 6.40pm yesterday. Immigration Task Force officers raided 18 target locations in various districts, including public refuse collection points, restaurants, premises under renovation, retail shops, food processing centres and a home for the elderly. During the operation, 11 illegal workers and four employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised two men and nine women aged 21 to 45. Among them, two were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit employment.
Four men, whose ages ranged from 45 to 57, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman warned that it was also an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order to take any employment, or to establish or join in any business. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three years.
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. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's identity card or, if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card, his/her valid travel document. The maximum penalty for failing to do so is a fine of $150,000 and imprisonment for one year. To deter unlawful employment, the High Court laid down sentencing guidelines in 2004 reaffirming that it was a serious offence to employ someone who was not legally employable, and stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Issued at HKT 12:34
NNNN
