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The Immigration Department, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department yesterday (October 29) jointly mounted an anti-illegal employment operation codenamed "Windsand", mobilising nine immigration officers, 36 police officers and seven labour inspectors. During the operation, officers raided seven black spots for parallel goods trading including On Shing Industrial Building, Kinho Industrial Building, Goldfield Industrial Centre and the junction of Wo Heung Street and Wo Shing Street at the Fo Tan industrial area. As a result, two male and three female Mainland visitors, aged between 18 and 44, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading. Officers also seized a batch of cosmetics during the operation.
"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. The Immigration Department will continue to take effective enforcement actions with related law enforcement departments against the offences concerned," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
Ends/Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:13
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