16 April 2021
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of operations yesterday and today (April 15 and 16). A total of four Indonesian foreign domestic helpers, age from 31 to 35, were arrested for breaching of their conditions of stay by practising dentistry without registration.
The ImmD received report(s) earlier on that some foreign domestic helpers breached their conditions of stay by providing unlicensed dental services on Sundays and holidays in guesthouse. However, the informant did not provide detailed information, such as the identities of the helpers and the operation time of the dental services. Despite so, the ImmD had triggered the investigation. After in-depth investigation and intelligence analysis, ImmD investigators had identified the suspects concerned. Upon enforcement action taken yesterday and today, four suspects of foreign domestic helper were arrested at their respective contractual addresses and relevant exhibits, including some business cards and account book, were seized.
According to the preliminary investigation, the four helpers rented a room in a guesthouse on their weekly rest days or holidays to provide dental services for their clansman. The four helpers have never received any formal dental trainings and are not registered dentists in Hong Kong. Available information suggested that their respective contractual employers were unaware of their unlicensed dental practice. The investigation is still underway and the ImmD will not rule out the possibility that more persons will be arrested. Apart from being suspected of breaching their conditions of stay, the arrested helpers are also suspected of "being unregistered persons who practice dentistry" and their cases had also been referred to the relevant department(s) for follow-up action.
"The arrested helpers have breached their conditions of stay. Apart from that, practicing dentistry without registration will also seriously threaten the health and lives of Hong Kong citizens and will very likely increase the risk of the spread of the epidemic. The situation is absolutely unacceptable. The ImmD has been working hard in combatting illegal workers, including foreign domestic helpers engaging in unlawful employment in Hong Kong. During the anti-epidemic period, ImmD will continue to actively conduct different types of anti-illegal worker operations" an ImmD spokesman said.
The spokesman also reiterated that the helper should only perform domestic duties for the employer specified in the contract. The helper should not take up any other employment, including part-time domestic duties, with any other person. The employer should not require or allow the helper to carry out any work for any other person. Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him shall be guilty of an offence.
The spokesman urges members of the public, when reporting crimes, to provide more information to facilitate more effective deployment and action by the law enforcement agencies, and hopes that media could provide any crime-related information to law enforcement agencies if they have for effective and efficient enforcement actions.
Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes by 24-hour Immigration Offences Hotline 2824 1551, fax 2824 1166, email anti_crime@immd.gov.hk or visit the ImmD website www.immd.gov.hk by complete the Online Immigration Offences Report Form.