13 arrested in anti-illegal worker operation

Immigration Department and the Hong Kong Police force arrested eight suspected illegal workers and five suspected employers in two territory-wide operation codenamed "Twilight" and “Champion” from February 1 to yesterday.

During operation “Twilight”, immigration officers raided up to 35 target locations including factories, a garage, garbage collection depots, premises under renovation, a recycling site, restaurants, a salon, and warehouses.

The suspected illegal workers included three men and two women, aged 30 to 59. Among them, two men were holders of recognizance forms, which prohibit them from taking any employment.

Meanwhile, three men and one woman, aged 23 to 69, were suspected of employing the illegal workers.

In addition, immigration officers and police officers arrested another three suspected illegal workers and one suspected employer in operation “Champion”, raiding up to 49 target locations in Kwai Chung, Tsing Yi and Tsuen Wan including factories and residential buildings. 

The three include two men and one woman, aged 35 to 47, and a 35-year-old man, suspected of employing the illegal workers.

Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of HK$50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment.