HK cracks down on foreign domestic helpers working illegally in restaurants, guesthouses

Hong Kong immigration authorities have arrested 24 people in a four-day operation targeting foreign domestic helpers working illegally across various sectors, with some cases involving forged contracts to obtain work visas.

During an operation from August 2 to 5, officers from the Immigration Department detained 18 suspected illegal workers - including 14 women and 4 men aged 19 to 54, predominantly from Indonesia and the Philippines.

Six Hong Kong residents aged 38 to 49, believed to be employers or managers of the businesses involved, were also arrested for hiring unauthorized workers.

The operation covered 66 locations including restaurants, retail shops, guesthouses, commercial buildings and residential units. Most arrested workers were found performing kitchen duties, dishwashing and serving in restaurants, earning hourly wages ranging from tens of Hong Kong dollars to daily payments of HK$200-500 in cash.

Authorities uncovered two concerning patterns: some domestic helpers were working at unlicensed guesthouses operated by their employers instead of their contracted residential addresses, while others had never performed household duties as stipulated in their contracts.

Investigators found cases where employers and helpers allegedly colluded to submit fake addresses, income proofs and employment contracts to obtain helper visas, only to deploy them as cooks or waitstaff in restaurants.

The Immigration Department warned that helpers are only permitted to perform domestic duties at their employer's specified residence under standard contracts.

Employers face severe penalties, including up to HK$500,000 fines and 10 years' imprisonment under revised laws since 2021. Company directors may also bear criminal liability.

All suspects remain under investigation with further arrests possible. The department reminded that temporary identification documents don't authorize employment and urged employers to verify workers' status.

Violators of stay conditions face up to HK$50,000 fines and two years' jail, while making false statements carries HK$150,000 penalties and a 14-year maximum sentence.

(Marco Lam)