25 May 2016
A Pakistani illegal worker holding an Immigration recognisance form was jailed at Shatin Magistrates' Courts yesterday (May 24).
During a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force and the Labour Department codenamed "Champion" conducted on March 15, enforcement officers found one male Pakistani worker aged 31 setting up stalls during a raid at Tung Choi Street in Mong Kok. Upon identity checking, he produced for inspection a recognisance form issued by the Immigration Department (ImmD), which prohibits him from taking up employment.
The arrestee was charged at Shatin Magistrates' Court yesterday 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 as stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants or people who are the subject of a removal order or a deportation order are prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining in any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction 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.