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Thirteen illegal workers and nine employers or people-in-charge of workplaces have been arrested in anti-illegal employment operations conducted jointly by the Labour Department and the Police in the past three days.
Labour inspectors and police officers raided 47 suspected spots in various districts in Kowloon and the New Territories, including Kwun Tong, San Po Kong, Mong Kok, Lai Chi Kok, Kwai Chung, Tsuen Wan, Fanling and Sheung Shui.
Among the 13 suspected illegal workers arrested, seven were found working as sales assistants in retail shops while the rest were working as general workers in eating places.
Of them, 11 were Mainlanders holding valid two-way permit, one overstayer and one was unable to provide proof of identity. The Mainlanders mainly came from Guangdong province.
Nine employers or people-in-charge of the workplaces where the suspected illegal workers were found were taken to police stations for investigation.
"Employing illegal workers is a serious offence. Even a first-time offender will be sentenced to three months' imprisonment. In 2006, 108 employers were sentenced to immediate imprisonment for employing illegal workers. Employers should not defy the law," a spokesman for the Labour Department said.
The spokesman said that the Labour Department had so far conducted 65 joint operations with other enforcement departments to combat illegal employment this year. He said that the Labour Department would continue to take vigorous enforcement action against illegal employment to protect employment opportunities for local workers.
The Labour Department urged people to report illegal employment to its hotline 2815 2200. All information provided will be handled in strict confidence.
Ends/Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:54
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