Pakistani illegal worker jailed

20 May 2016

A Pakistani illegal worker holding an Immigration recognisance form was jailed at Shatin Magistrates' Courts today (May 20).

In an anti-illegal employment operation mounted on May 18, officers of the Immigration Department (ImmD) raided a restaurant in Jordan. A male Pakistani worker, aged 45, was found to be an odd job kitchen worker there. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the ImmD, which prohibits him from taking up employment.

The arrestee was charged at Shatin Magistrates' Court today with taking up employment while being a person who remains in Hong Kong without the authority of the Director of Immigration after having landed in Hong Kong unlawfully. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to 15 months' imprisonment.

The ImmD 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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