Publications and Press Releases

5 May 2016

A Pakistani illegal worker holding an immigration recognisance form was jailed at Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 4).

In December 2015, the Immigration Department (ImmD) investigators received a referral from the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation into an illegal employment case. Enforcement officers found one male illegal worker aged 35 shovelling mud at a village house under construction in Ta Kwu Ling district. Upon identity checking, it was found that he was a non-refoulement claimant and he produced a recognisance form, which prohibits him from taking employment, issued by the ImmD for inspection.

The Pakistani illegal worker, who appeared at the Shatin Magistrates' Courts on April 22, was charged with taking up employment in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration and while being a person in respect of whom a removal order was in force. After the trial, he was sentenced to 22 months and two weeks' imprisonment yesterday.

The spokesman warned that it is an offence for illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order to take up any employment or to establish or join in any business. Offenders are liable to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. The Court of Appeal has issued a guideline ruling that a sentence of 15 months' imprisonment should be applied in such cases.