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Some of the arrested workers are taken for investigation |
The Immigration Department today renewed its warning against
working illegally as it reported the arrest of 18 people in raids conducted across Hong Kong on July 18-20.
“The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action
to combat such offences,” it aid in a press statement.
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PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE! |
In operations codenamed "Lightshadow" and
"Twilight", Immigration officers arrested suspected illegal workers
and three suspected employers during raids on 58 target locations, including a
car park, a garage, industrial buildings, premises under renovation, a
residential building and restaurants.
The arrested workers comprised eight men and seven women,
aged 25 to 61. Among them, one man and two women were holders of recognisance
forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.
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Two men and one woman, aged 43 to 64, were arrested for employing
the workers.
"Any person who contravenes a condition of stay shall
be guilty of an offence,” Immigration said. “Also, visitors are not allowed to
take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of
the Director of Immigration.”
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BASAHIN ANG DETALYE |
It added: “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."
Immigration also warned that “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."
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PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
The penalties for employers of these people are even harsher, it said.
Employing people who are not lawfully employable is punishable
by a fine of up to $500,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
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BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS NOW! PRESS FOR DETAILS |
“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,” Immigration added.
“… employers must take all practicable steps to determine
whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment,” it said.
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BASAHIN DITO |
“Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity
card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person
and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the
lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so
as a defence in proceedings,” it added.
“It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the
job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong
permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine
of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year.”
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PADALA NA! |