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| Immigration Department photo of those arrested |
Seven Filipino men who were arrested for working illegally in a cargo company in Kwai Chung last March 4, have appeared at Shatin Court, charged with violating the Immigation Ordinance and the Immigration Regulations.
Of the seven, only Rodrigo Sarabia, 60 years old, was charged
with breach of condition of stay because he was allowed to stay in Hong Kong to
work as a domestic helper at the address specified in the employment
contract he used to get his visa.
In a hearing on March 19, Sarabia was allowed by Magistrate David
Chum to post bail of $1,000.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Earlier reports said six of the suspected illegal workers arrested in the raid were asylum seekers or non-refoulement claimants holding recognizance papers which prohibit them from taking up work. The seventh is a male FDH while the eighth was a female overstayer.
Two of the asylum seekers arrested were Junipher Sambalod, 41 years old, and Marcelino
Guisinga, 44. Both were also allowed to post bail but at $10,000 cash plus surety
of another $10,000.
Both are facing a charge of “taking employment while being
a person in respect of whom a removal order is in force” in violation of
section 38AA(1)(b) and 38AA(2) of the Immigration Ordinance.
The four others, who are facing similar charges – Julie JR Arcega, 43, Aris Pareja, 51, Christian Mendane, 34, and Joel Lorente, 46 – were returned
to jail to await their next court date on April 22.
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
Arcega is one of four Filipinos and a Bangladeshi who were cleared
by the District Court last March 19 of
acting indecently towads a child, but was not freed because he was detained
at that time for this case.
Last March 5, the Immigration Department announced it has arrested
nine persons in an anti-illegal work operation conducted by its agents in Kwai
Chung last Mar 4, eight of whom were Filipinos. The ninth is a 51-year-old male
Hong Kong resident who is suspected of employing them.
The statement said the eight suspects were caught while performing transporting and wrapping duties in a unit of the industrial building. They comprised seven men and one woman, aged 34 to 60.
The woman, who was reportedly an overstayer, was not among those who appeared in court to face charges.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
Immigration warned that illegal work is a serious offence
that merits a jail sentence.
Those who are convicted of the offence while on tourist or
domestic helper’s visa could be jailed for up to two years and fined $50,000.
Recognizance paper holders or overstayers face a maximum of
three years in prison and a fine of $50,000.
Those found to have employed illegal workers could be jailed
for up to 10 years and fined a maximum of $500,000.
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| PRESS FOR DETAILS |
