Immigration arrests 12 more illegal workers and five employers

The Immigration detention centre in Ma Tau Kok (Photo: Google Maps)

The Immigration Department (ImmD) arrested 17 persons this week after it conducted a territory-wide sweep against illegal workers since Monday (January 14).

The ImmD said it conducted 34 raids from Monday until yesterday in its anti-illegal worker operation, codenamed “Twilight”, and nabbed 12 illegal workers and five employers.

“Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration,” an ImmD spokesman said.

“Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years’ imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties,” he added.

The ImmD said it raided 34 target locations including a company, construction sites, a factory, a flower shop, residential buildings, restaurants, shopping malls and warehouses.

The illegal workers included five men and seven women, aged 31 to 59. One of them, a male, was a holder of recognisance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment.

Two men and three women were suspected of using forged Hong Kong identity cards while two others, a man and a woman, were suspected of using the Hong Kong identity cards of other persons.

The Immd said its officers also nabbed five men, aged 30 to 52, who were suspected of employing the illegal workers.

Under the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business, the ImmD spokesman said.

Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment, he added.