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The Immigration Department today (April 23) arrested six Indian subcontinent nationals and three suspected local employers during an anti-illegal worker operation codenamed "Twilight".
Immigration Task Force investigators raided three targeted locations in Tsim Sha Tsui - a grocery store, a restaurant and a fashion shop - between 9am and 11.30am.
Six men, aged 27 to 43, were arrested for suspected breach of conditions of stay. Those arrested were all Indian subcontinent nationals, including two Bangladeshis, two Indians and two Pakistanis. Another three male Hong Kong residents, all of Indian subcontinent origin and aged 29 to 39, suspected of employing illegal workers, were also arrested.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment, whether paid or unpaid, without the prior permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and, upon conviction, to a maximum fine of $50,000 and imprisonment for two years. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalty," an Immigration Department spokesman warned.
"It is also an offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. The maximum penalty is a fine of $350,000 and imprisonment for three years," the spokesman said.
Ends/Monday, April 23, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:19
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