Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish” for five consecutive days from February 5 to 9, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 14 persons, including seven suspected illegal workers and seven suspected employers, were arrested.
During the operations, ImmD investigators raided 22 target locations, including restaurants, retail shops, beauty centres, hair salons, fitness centres, guesthouses, commercial buildings and residential building units. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven women, aged 22 to 55. Among them, five persons were current helpers, one person was an overstaying ex-helper, and one person was a holder of recognizance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment in Hong Kong. The suspected illegal workers were performing as salon assistants or sales or taking up cleaning duties and household work at places other than their contractual address. Meanwhile, seven suspected employers, comprising two men and five women aged 39 to 69, were owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved. A copy of a forged Hong Kong identity card was also found during the operation. Relevant cases are still under investigation, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.