Fourteen persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operation in 98 target locations

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 For two consecutive days, December 28-29, the Immigration Department (ImmdD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal  worker operations. A total of 10 suspected illegal workers, three suspected employers and one overstayer were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided five target locations such as a commercial building, premises under renovation and restaurants. Seven suspected illegal workers and two suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and six women, aged 30 to 47. Among them, one woman was a holder of recognizance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment.
In addition, one man was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. One man and one woman, aged 34 and 56, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.

In another operations, enforcement officers raided 93 target locations in Eastern district, including premises under renovation and residential buildings. Three suspected illegal workers, one suspected employer and one overstayer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men, aged 26 to 48. All of them were holders of recognizance forms, which prohibits them from taking any employment.

One man, aged 35, was suspected of employing the illegal workers was arrested.

Moreover, one female overstayer, aged 40, was also arrested.

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 offence. 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.”

The spokesman warned, “As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years’ imprisonment. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years’ imprisonment.”