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Ten suspected illegal workers and five employers were arrested in an operation conducted jointly by the Labour Department and the Police today (April 17) to combat illegal employment.
A total of six suspected spots in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Kwun Tong were raided in the operation.
Among the 10 suspected illegal workers arrested, five were found working in a waste recycling workshop. The rest were found working in an interior decoration site, a vegetable stall, a retail shop and an eating place. Four suspected illegal workers were Mainlanders holding valid two-way permit and the other six were unable to provide proof of identity.
During the operation, five employers or persons-in-charge of the workplaces where suspected illegal workers were found were taken to the police station for investigation.
¡§Employing illegal workers is a serious offence. Even a first-time offender will be sentenced to three months¡¦ imprisonment. In 2006, 108 employers were sentenced to immediate imprisonment for employing illegal workers. Employers should not defy the law,¡¨ a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
The spokesman said that, the Labour Department had so far conducted 53 joint operations with other enforcement departments to combat illegal employment this year. He said that the Labour Department would continue to take vigorous enforcement action against illegal employment to protect the employment opportunities for local workers.
The Labour Department urged the public to report illegal employment to its hotline 2815 2200. All information provided will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:40
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