*****************************************
The Immigration Department yesterday (November 3) arrested 13 illegal workers and eight people suspected of employing them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight".
Operation Twilight began at 10am and ended at 9.15pm yesterday. Immigration Task Force officers raided 14 target locations in various districts including restaurants, premises under renovation or decoration, a beauty shop, an elderly home, a retail stall and refuse collection points. In the operation, 13 illegal workers and eight employers were arrested. The illegal workers comprised three men and 10 women aged from 18 to 54. One of those arrested held a recognisance form, which prohibits employment. Two of the men were suspected of using and being in possession of a suspected forged Hong Kong Identity cards. Six men and two women, whose ages ranged from 24 to 58, 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 is 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 up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases.
The spokesman also warned that it was an offence to use or possess a forged identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it is an offence to employ people who are 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 or 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 is a serious offence to employ someone who is not legally employable, and stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Friday, November 4, 2011
Issued at HKT 15:35
NNNN
