The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Windsand" for four consecutive days from August 14 to yesterday (August 17). A total of 12 suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested.
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD Task Force officers raided 21 target locations including a commercial building, a garage, industrial buildings, a massage parlour, premises under renovation, restaurants and a warehouse. Eleven suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised three men and eight women, aged 28 to 54. Among them, three women were holders of a recognisance form, which prohibits them from taking any employment. In addition, one woman was suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three men and one woman, aged 39 to 59, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested.
Furthermore, during operation "Windsand", one female Mainland visitor, aged 56, was arrested for breaching her condition of stay by being involved in suspected illegal parallel trading activities at San Wan Road in Sheung Shui district. The goods mainly included daily necessities and foods.
An ImmD 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 warned, "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. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged Hong Kong identity card or a Hong Kong identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."
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