19 July 2012
A female Mainland visitor pleaded guilty to her charge of breach of condition of stay by establishing business as a dance teacher and was sentenced to two months' imprisonment at Shatin Magistrates' Court today (July 19).
During an anti-illegal worker operation mounted on June 21, 2012, the Immigration Task Force visited a centre which provided a dancing venue at North Point. A female Mainland resident, aged 54 and with visitor status, approached two undercover immigration investigators and offered to act as a dance teacher on her own in the centre and charged $400 per two hours as a teaching fee. She was then arrested for the offence of breach of condition of stay.
"Visitors are not allowed to take up employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, or to establish or join in any business without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment," an Immigration Department spokesman said.
The spokesman also appealed to the public to report illegal worker activities through the 24-hour immigration enquiry telephone hotline on 2824 1551, by fax on 2824 1166, by email to anti_crime@immd.gov.hk or through the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" System in the www.immd.gov.hk.