56 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations

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The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations, including a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department for four consecutive days from March 13 to March 16. A total of 36 suspected illegal workers, 10 suspected employers, four suspected aiders and abettors, five overstayers and one illegal immigrant were arrested.

During the anti-illegal worker operation, ImmD Task Force officers raided a premise under renovation. One suspected illegal worker and one suspected employer were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal worker was a man, aged 36. Another man, aged 40, was suspected of employing the illegal worker and was also arrested.

During the operation, enforcement officers raided 169 target locations in the Central District, Eastern District, Wan Chai District and Western District, including commercial buildings, massage parlours, restaurants and retail stores. Thirty-one suspected illegal workers, nine suspected employers, four suspected aiders and abettors, five overstayers and one illegal immigrant were arrested. 

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised 14 men and 17 women, aged 26 to 60. Among them, eight men and five women were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment. One of the men was also suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Seven men and two women, aged 30 to 88, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were arrested. One man and three women, aged 37 to 68, were suspected of aiding and abetting persons who breached their condition of stay in Hong Kong and were also arrested. Five female overstayers, aged 29 to 46, were arrested. Furthermore, one female illegal immigrant, aged 57, was arrested. Among them, 30 suspected illegal workers, nine suspected employers, four suspected aiders and abettors, five overstayers and the illegal immigrant were handled by the ImmD.

In addition, four Mainland visitors comprising one man and three women, aged 37 and 53, were arrested for breaching their conditions of stay by being involved in suspected parallel goods trading at Ka Fu Close, Po Shek Wu Road and San Wan Road in Sheung Shui district. The goods included cosmetics products, health products, medicines 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 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. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years imprisonment.”