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The Immigration Department arrested 13 illegal workers and 10 people suspected of employing them during a territory-wide anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight", on November 1 and 2.
During the operation, Immigration Task Force Officers raided 23 target locations in various districts, including restaurants, salons, public refuse collection points, retail shops, a residential unit and some targeted street locations. The illegal workers comprised eight men and five women aged 17 to 42. Among them, one was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits employment. Moreover, four women and three men were suspected of using and being in possession of forged Hong Kong Identity cards.
Nine men and one woman, whose ages ranged from 24 to 52, 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 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 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 up to 10 years' imprisonment.
The spokesman also appealed to employers not to employ illegal workers, warning that it was 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/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 is not legally employable, and stating that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
Ends/Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:03
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