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The Immigration Department yesterday (November 8) arrested eight illegal workers and three suspected employers during a territory-wide anti-illegal workers operation codenamed "Twilight".
Operation Twilight began at 9am and ended at 8.15pm yesterday. Immigration Task Force officers raided 13 target locations including noodle shops, restaurants and a trading company. The eight illegal workers comprised two men and six women aged between 18 and 55. Among them, four women were suspected of being in possession of and using a forged Hong Kong identity card or the Hong Kong identity card of another person, and one woman was a holder of a recognisance form. Three men, whose ages ranged from 33 to 68, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.
"Visitors are not allowed to take 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 to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or the Hong Kong identity card of another person. 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 9, 2012
Issued at HKT 14:59
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