19th December 2025 – (Hong Kong) The Immigration Department (ImmD) has arrested 34 suspected illegal workers, five suspected employers and four overstayers in a series of territory‑wide enforcement actions conducted between 14th and 18th December. The operations included ImmD‑led “Silver Wing” and “Twilight”, joint actions with the Labour Department codenamed “Lightshadow” and “Rainbow”, a multi‑agency sweep with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department dubbed “Flabbergast”, and a joint operation with the Hong Kong Police Force codenamed “Champion”.
Under “Silver Wing”, officers raided 10 locations, including restaurants and a laundry factory, detaining 17 suspected illegal workers — 10 men and seven women aged 21 to 49. Two were visitors, while the remaining 15 were imported workers alleged to have breached their conditions of stay by working at non‑contractual workplaces or performing duties not stipulated in their contracts. Two men, aged 33 and 50, were arrested on suspicion of employing illegal workers.
In the Labour Department joint operation “Lightshadow”, investigators visited 102 target sites and arrested three non‑ethnic Chinese men, aged 31 to 42, for allegedly undertaking food delivery work. The trio are non‑refoulement claimants holding recognisance forms that prohibit employment in Hong Kong.
Further anti‑illegal worker actions targeted multiple sectors and venues, including renovation flats, a leather repair shop, warehouses and restaurants. Fourteen suspected illegal workers — six men and eight women aged 22 to 62 — were arrested, alongside three suspected employers and four overstayers. One woman is suspected of using and possessing a forged Hong Kong identity card. Three Hong Kong female residents, aged 62 to 88, were arrested on suspicion of employing illegal workers. Investigations into the suspected employers are ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
An ImmD spokesperson reiterated that breaching conditions of stay is a criminal offence. Visitors are prohibited from taking up any form of employment in Hong Kong without the Director of Immigration’s permission. Imported workers must remain under the direct employment of the same employer, perform only the specified job and work solely at the workplace(s) set out in the Standard Employment Contract; changes of employer, post or workplace (unless stipulated in the contract) are not permitted. Offenders face prosecution and, upon conviction, up to two years’ imprisonment and a maximum fine of HK$50,000. Aiders and abettors are also liable. Using or possessing a forged identity card, or an identity card belonging to another person, carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment and a HK$100,000 fine.
The spokesperson further warned that under section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, illegal immigrants, persons subject to removal or deportation orders, overstayers and those refused permission to land are prohibited from taking employment or establishing or joining a business. Convicted offenders face up to three years’ imprisonment and a HK$50,000 fine. Under section 20(1)(a), the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant convicted of an offence punishable by at least two years’ imprisonment.
Employing persons who are not lawfully employable is a serious offence. The maximum penalty has been increased to 10 years’ imprisonment and a HK$500,000 fine, and company officers — including directors, managers, secretaries and partners — may bear criminal liability. High Court sentencing guidelines stipulate that employers of illegal workers should receive immediate custodial sentences. Employers must take all practicable steps to verify lawful employability before hiring — beyond inspecting a Hong Kong identity card, they must make appropriate enquiries and, where a candidate lacks a permanent identity card, inspect a valid travel document. Failure to do so is itself an offence, punishable by up to one year’s imprisonment and a HK$150,000 fine. The ImmD said it will continue resolute enforcement against illegal employment.
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