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| Imported workers may only work at care homes provided in their employment contract (File) |
Four imported workers were arrested by Immigration agents yesterday, May 13, on suspicion of working at homes for the elderly which are not their contractual place of work. Three persons in charge of the institutions concerned were also arrested.
According to a statement from the Immigration Department, the territory-wide operation was launched after it received reports about several homes for the elderly where imported workers, mostly from the Mainland, were supposedly deployed in violation of their contracts.
The arrested imported workers comprised one man and three women, aged 32 to 52. They were held on suspicion of breaching their conditions of stay by performing duties at non-contractual homes for the elderly.
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| TAWAG NA! |
The persons-in-charge of the homes where the said illegal work was carried out comprised three women, aged 42 to 65. They are being held on suspicion of aiding and abetting those who took up work in violation of their condition of stay in Hong Kong.
Immigration warned that imported workers admitted on an employment condition must remain under the direct employment of the same employer for the specified job and in the specific workplace(s) as stipulated in the Standard Employment Contract. They cannot be employed by other companies or subcontractors or change employer, post or place of work, unless provided in their contract.
Anyone who contravenes any of these conditions shall be guilty of an offence, and could be penalized with a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties.
Employers of illegal workers face the highest penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a maximum fine of $500,000. The High Court has decreed that the employer of an illegal worker should be given immediate custodial sentence.
The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also be held criminally liable.
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