Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed “Contribute” from June 10 to yesterday (June 16). During the operation, ImmD officers raided multiple target renovation units, including a newly inhabited housing estate, industrial buildings, retail shops and village houses. Fifteen suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers were 15 men, aged 30 to 56. They were found engaging in cementing, cleaning, demolition, electrical wiring, furniture installation and painting. Among them, a man was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Five men, aged 36 to 60, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. The investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
Apart from the enforcement operation, a promotional vehicle and ImmD officers have been deployed to distribute leaflets to the public in the housing estate and convey the message “Don’t Employ Illegal Workers”.
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 stressed 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.