ImmD cracks down on illegal workers, arresting 123 in sweeping raids

The Immigration Department announced on Tuesday that it has arrested 123 people—including 89 undocumented workers and 31 employers—in a major operation targeting illegal labor.

The 89 undocumented workers, aged between 21 and 67, were primarily employed in the food and beverage sector, with 60 working as dishwashers, delivery staff, and servers. Another 14 were found in construction and cleaning roles.

The crackdown, which began on May 19, saw officers conduct surprise inspections at 815 locations, including restaurants, renovation sites, and areas known for illegal labor activity. 

Authorities discovered that 18 workers were using fake IDs, while three were in possession of borrowed or stolen identity documents.

Nine of those arrested had entered Hong Kong under the Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme but were found working outside their approved job contracts, violating their stay conditions. 

So far, 46 individuals have been sentenced, receiving prison terms ranging from 54 days to 22 months.

The operation highlights ongoing efforts to curb illegal employment, with authorities warning both workers and employers of severe penalties for violating labor laws. Further investigations are underway.