Vietnamese illegal worker jailed

10 May 2016

A Vietnamese illegal worker holding an Immigration recognisance form was jailed at Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 9).

During a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed "Champion" conducted on April 13, enforcement officers carried out a raid at the Kwai Tsing Container Terminals. A Vietnamese worker aged 35 was found working in a warehouse. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the Immigration Department, which prohibits him from taking up employment, and further investigation revealed that he was a non-refoulement claimant.

The arrestee was charged at Shatin Magistrates' Courts on May 9 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. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment.

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.

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