Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed “Swordfish” for three consecutive days from March 8 to 10, targeting foreign domestic helpers who breached their conditions of stay. A total of 20 persons, including 14 suspected illegal workers and six suspected employers, were arrested.
During the operations, ImmD investigators raided 19 target locations, including restaurants, retail shops, residential care homes for the elderly, guesthouses, industrial and commercial building units and public areas. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised one man and 13 women, aged 28 to 50. Among them, 11 persons were current helpers, one person was an overstaying ex-helper, one person was permitted to stay in Hong Kong on visitor status, and one person was a holder of a recognisance form, which prohibits her from taking any employment in Hong Kong. The suspected illegal workers were found performing massage, pedicure, dishwashing and kitchen assistant duties. Meanwhile, six suspected employers, comprising one man and five women aged 30 to 60, were owners or persons-in-charge of the companies and restaurants involved. The relevant cases are still under investigation, and the ImmD does not rule out the possibility of further arrests.
The spokesman reiterated that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. 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, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years’ imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.