*************************************
The Immigration Department yesterday (February 8) arrested nine illegal workers and two people suspected to have employed them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight". Another nine people were arrested in an inter-departmental operation.
Operation "Twilight" began at 9am and ended at 8.45pm yesterday. Immigration Task Force officers raided 21 target locations in various districts including residential and commercial units under decoration, restaurants, retail shops and market stalls.
In a Chinese restaurant in Central District, five illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested. The illegal workers comprised three men and two women. Among them, two men were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit employment, while one women was in possession of a suspected forged Hong Kong identity card.
Another four female illegal workers were suspected of breaching their conditions of stay and possessing forged Hong Kong identity cards. Meanwhile, one person was arrested for employing persons not lawfully employable.
During a joint Immigration/Police operation on Lantau Island, a total of eight women were arrested in the woods at Siu Ho Wan. Three were overstayers and five were illegal immigrants. At the same time, one person was arrested for aiding and abetting their breaching of conditions of stay and illegally remaining in Hong Kong. Inquiries are being conducted on all of the arrestees.
"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 fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for three years," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman also warned that it was an offence in law to use or possess a forged identity card. Offenders are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and imprisonment for 10 years.
"It is also an offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years. The Immigration Department will continue its efforts to combat immigration offenders and prosecute employers who hire illegal workers. Aiders and abettors of illegal immigrants to remain in Hong Kong are liable to prosecution and a maximum penalty of a $25,000 fine and imprisonment for three years," the spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:00
NNNN