Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose S K Lee in the Legislative Council said on May 12 that the HongKong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government has always been vigilant against illegal employment.

He said the departments concerned have adopted the following measures effectively to combat the employment of illegal workers to carry out renovation works in private premises.

Lee said, to combat crimes and illegal employment more effectively, an Inter-departmental Task Force was set up in April 2003 to devise specific strategies, coordinate joint operations amongst various departments and enhance the gathering and exchangeof intelligence.

He said the Task Force is chaired by a Deputy Commissioner of Police. Its membership includes the Security Bureau, Immigration Department, Labor Department, Customs and Excise Department, Correctional Services Department and other departments concerned.

Since mid-January 2003, the Immigration Department has been carrying out on an ongoing basis a series of operations code-named"Contribute" to crackdown on illegal workers engaging in interior renovation or building maintenance works as well as on their employers. The scope of these operations also covers small houses under construction and on-site maintenance works.

As at April 30, 2004, the Immigration Department has conducted a total of 478 operations and arrested 395 illegal workers and 46 employers.

Apart from arresting lawbreakers on-the-spot at workplaces, thelaw enforcement departments also collect intelligence and conduct raids on the hideouts and places frequented by illegal workers.

He said at present, there is comprehensive legislation guarding against illegal employment and the maximum penalty under the law carries substantive deterrent effect. For example, an illegal worker is liable to a maximum fine of 50,000 HK dollars (6,410 US dollars) plus two years of imprisonment and the employer concerned is liable to a maximum fine of 350,000 HK dollars (44,871 US dollars) and three years of imprisonment.