By The SUN
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| 4 of the 8 women arrested are shown in a photo supplied by Immigration |
Fourteen suspected illegal workers and six alleged employers were arrested in the latest territory-wide operation against illegal work mounted by the Immigration Department.
According to a statement released earlier today, Friday, the suspects were arrested over three consecutive days from Jul 11 to 13, when Immigration carried out operations codenamed “Lightshadow”, “Twilight” and “Champion.”
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| PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE |
In the first two operation, 59 locations were targeted, including food and beverage areas, a garbage collection depot, a logistics centre, residential buildings, restaurants and a vegetable stall.
Eight people were arrested during these operations, including seven women aged 24 to 56, who were suspected of doing illegal work. Another woman, aged 35, was arrested on suspicion of hiring the illegal workers.
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| Pindutin para sa detalye |
During operation "Champion", officers raided 178 premises in Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Tsing Yi districts and New Territories North Region, including garbage collection depots, garages, industrial buildings, residential buildings and wet markets.
Seven suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers were arrested during the operations. The suspected illegal workers comprised seven men, aged 29 to 42, who all hold recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking up any employment.
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The five suspected employers were also all men, aged 30 to 64.
In the statement, Immigration warned that visitors are not
allowed to take up employment in
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Under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants, those subject to removal or deportation (like holders of recognizance documents), or refused permission to land, as well as overstayers, face the same maximum fine, but the prison term could be up to three years.
Those who hire people who are not allowed to take up jobs are also liable to prosecution as aiders and abettors of the illegal act, and face an even bigger punishment.
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The maximum penalty for one who hires a person who is not lawfully employable is a fine of $500,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability.
In line with the guidelines set by the High Court, an employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
The High Court has ruled that employers must take all practicable steps to ensure a job applicant is lawfully employable. Apart from inspecting the applicant’s identity card, the employer is also duty-bound to make enquiries to ensure the lawful employability of the person.
Immigration warned employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. “Immigration will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences,” said the statement.
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| PADALA NA! |
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