Hong Kong Immigration Department Cracks Down on Illegal Workers and Employers

Strategic Insights -

The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) conducted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Twilight" from June 30 to July 3, and a joint operation with the Labour Department codenamed "Lightshadow" to combat illegal food delivery couriers on July 2. The operations resulted in the arrest of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer.

Key Takeaways:

  • A total of six suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer were arrested during the operations "Twilight" and "Lightshadow".
  • The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised four men and two women, aged 32 to 59, and were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.
  • One woman, aged 52, was suspected of employing the illegal workers and was also arrested.
  • The operations targeted 58 premises, including premises under renovation, recycling yards, restaurants, and retail stores.
  • The ImmD warned that using or possessing a forged Hong Kong identity card is a serious offence, punishable by a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment.
  • Employers who employ people who are not lawfully employable face serious consequences, including a maximum fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment.
  • The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences and reminds all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers.

Statistics:

  • 34 target locations were raided during operation "Twilight".
  • 24 target locations were raided during operation "Lightshadow".
  • 4 suspected illegal workers and 1 suspected employer were arrested during operation "Twilight".
  • 2 suspected illegal workers were arrested during operation "Lightshadow".
  • The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised a total of 6 men and women, aged 32 to 59.
  • 3 of the arrested suspected illegal workers were holders of recognisance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.

Sources:

  • Hong Kong Government special administrative region The Immigration Department (ImmD)
  • Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance
  • Contify.com (MIL OSI Asia Pacific News)