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Immigration investigators arrested 41 people, including 32 illegal workers and nine local employers, in an anti-illegal operation over the past two days.
"Operation Twilight" began at 10.30 this morning when 37 Immigration Task Force investigators raided 60 stalls in a Wong Tai Sin market complex. They conducted identity checks of more than 100 people.
The two-hour operation netted two men and nine women Mainland visitors and two foreign domestic helpers who were arrested for suspected breach of condition of stay.
Nine Hong Kong employers, three men and six women, were arrested for employing people who were not lawfully employable, and for aiding and abetting the breach of conditions of stay.
Another team of eight Immigration investigators raided two fast food shops in Shamshuipo and Mongkok. Three Mainland visitors, a man and two women were arrested and detained for questioning.
"Operation Contribute", launched yesterday in Kam Tin, saw 63 Immigration investigators raid a low-density housing estate in Pat Heung.
They raided 16 low-rise housing blocks and arrested 16 Mainland visitors, 15 of them men, for breach of condition of stay. They were detained for prosecution. The site controller will be investigated further.
The Immigration Department warns visitors not to take up employment, paid or unpaid, without prior permission from the Director of Immigration.
Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000. They could also go to prison for two years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.
The Department reminds people that foreign domestic helpers are allowed to take up domestic duties only for their contractual employers. Offenders are liable to prosecution. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is a fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for two years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty.
Employing illegal workers is also an offence. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years.
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