The SUN HK : Asylum seeker jailed 15 months for illegal work

22 September 2024

Immigration officers escort individuals they arrested for illegal work.

A Filipina has been jailed for 15 months for working illegally, while her companion was returned to jail to await her next hearing on a similar charge.

Ellyn Pinana, 30 years old, received the jail sentence from Magistrate David Chum when she appeared on Friday at the Shatin Court and pleaded guilty to the charge of taking employment against whom a removal order is in force.

Pinana’s conviction also activated a suspended two-month jail sentence she had received earlier at Eastern Court for overstaying, but Magistrate Chum made it run at the same time as the new sentence.

Pindutin para sa detalye

With the completion of her case, her next hearing scheduled for Oct. 24 was cancelled.

But her co-accused, Arlene Suratos, aged 47, was told to return on Oct. 24. She was remanded in jail custody.

Pinana and Suratos were charged with violation of the Immigration Ordinance which prohibits those who are facing deportation from taking employment, whether paid or unpaid.

PINDUTIN PARA SA DETALYE

Both were arrested last Sept. 9 while doing odd jobs in Central.

They were among the 30 persons arrested -- 22 suspected illegal workers, five suspected employers and three overstayers -- during anti-illegal worker operations conductd by Immigration Department (ImmD) Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department from Sept. 9 to Sept. 12.

During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 34 target locations including premises under renovation and restaurants. Six suspected illegal workers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised five men and one woman, aged 23 to 44.

Basahin ang detalye!

During operation "Powerplayer", enforcement officers raided 100 target locations in the Central, Eastern, Wan Chai and Western districts including car parks, food stalls, massage parlors and restaurants. Sixteen suspected illegal workers, five suspected employers and three overstayers were arrested.

The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised seven men and nine women, aged 19 to 57. Among them, three men and three women were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.

ImmD said in a warning: "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, 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."