Suspected illegal workers and employer arrested

Six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested by the Immigration Department this week. The arrests were made during raids at 81 locations – the majority being food and beverage outlets.

The suspected illegal workers are two men and four women, aged between 27 and 36. The two men and one of the women had paperwork prohibiting them from taking any employment. The suspected employer is a man aged 62.

An Immigration Department spokesman said: “Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration.”

“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.”

The spokesman added that the maximum penalty for employing a person who is not lawfully employable is a fine of HK$500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment.

He said employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment.