12 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

The Immigration Department (ImmD) and Police Force conducted anti-illegal workers operations from May 29 to June 1.

The ImmD raided 64 target locations including massage parlors, residential buildings, restaurants, and warehouses.

Four suspected illegal workers comprised of two men and two women, aged 26 to 48 were arrested.

Among them, one woman was a holder of a recognizance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment.

During the operation of the Police force, officers raided 36 target locations in the Western District, including a park, restaurants, and retail shops.

Two suspected illegal workers and one male Mainland fisherman deckhand, aged 32, who breached his condition of stay in Hong Kong, were also arrested.

The arrested suspects comprised two men, aged 32 and 60. Among them, one man was a holder of a recognizance form, which prohibits him from taking any employment.

The ImmD and Police forces also arrested suspected employers. ImmD arrested one man and two women, aged 34 to 58, while the Police force arrested one man, aged 40, suspected of employing illegal workers.

Furthermore, during the operation, the Police force arrested one female Mainland visitor, aged 39, for breaching her condition of stay by being involved in suspected parallel trading activities at Po Wan Road in Sheung Shui district. The goods mainly included health products and skincare products.

An ImmD spokesman said, “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offense. Also, visitors are not allowed to take 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. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.”