Three women from the Philippines were sentenced by the Shatin Magistrates’ Courts to jail sentences ranging from six weeks to 14 months last week for illegally working in Hong Kong.
On April 24, the three women, aged 34 to 52, were arrested by Immigration Department officers during an anti-illegal worker operation in a restaurant in Central on Hong Kong Island. One of those arrested claimed she had applied for refugee status, while the other two were foreign domestic workers, according to a statement on a government website.
A local person was also arrested for allegedly hiring the three Filipinos, who were charged on April 26 with taking employment unlawfully in Hong Kong. The refugee claimant, who should have been deported, was accused of staying in the city illegally, while the two domestic workers were charged with breaching the conditions of their stay by taking up unapproved employment in Hong Kong.
They pleaded guilty to the charges in the court and were jailed from six weeks to 14 months.
According to Hong Kong law, 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 HK$50,000 (US$6,369) and up to three years’ imprisonment.
Foreign domestic workers who take up unapproved employment in Hong Kong can be jailed for up to two years and fined HK$50,000. The maximum penalty for a person convicted of employing illegal workers in the city is imprisonment for three years and a fine of HK$350,000.
Sonnel Ataraj Airoliv those doing illegal things are rubbish
Lee Edmond oh my god ….she is the one to support her family in the philippines now she is in jail …but how her family if no body to support….there is a big problem….a just saying….
Dont just judge know the law first! As per employer they too will need to be in court and fine much much higher but of course they are hk people so no need to state here what happened to the employer. The employer will fine charges if they break the law in Hong Kong. Law is law in here. No such discrimination for helper and employer.
Lee Edmond you can’t bring money in your grave when you die.. better share your blessing and your country they just helping the people who in need and someday ,somewhere they will owe your kindness of your country.. you should proud of your country with their helpfullness.. Dont say wasting money….
All people here read that article so u must know what u talking about they still a human being u need to be happy if u dont have same station like them god bless you all **dont judge the book by it cover **
Just show it to u guys they never use the money off hong kong UN is the one to sport them only hong kong protect them google it guys dont talk when u not sure to what you say
Sorry sir but base on my research refugees can have allows from the UN because all off country is under on UN so they never using the money off hong kong u try to search on goggle so is been clear just saying not to opened you thank u
Haha….reach it’s just the same as you’re road…????
What about employer?
Dear Asia Times, this story was published on 2..5.2018 – what was the ACTUAL sentence to employer?
Dylan Sano Ching pwedeng mang yari yan.kasi nangyari na minsan sakin yan. Kaya idouble check ang reciept at items na pinamili bago aalis..i feel u nak..hayaan mo na ang mga nagbabad comment..di mo sila mapipigilan. Nag iisa ka lng na nagdedepensa sa mama mo.
Feliza Guy Benitez. 3yrs imprisonment too 350thou fine
Congratulations!!! Cge hirit pa!
Mr.Lee Edmond, really are you sure only Filipinos like or doing illegal activities?It seems you hate Filipinos very much…sometimes you have to think first before you comment and judge us Filipinos…
Well said
Macizzle Shady ????????????????????
Lee Edmond,what did you say?filipinos like illegal work?watch out,why dont you visit our country and see how your countrymen chinese ruined the life of many filipinos because of the drugs?They even made the Phils as there drug nest,so dont just judge those who are arrested working illigally just to feed their family,just saying
What if i tell you that one of these filipinas is a friend. She has kids and her wage is not enough to pay the bills. May alam ka ba sa nangyari?
Rhonalyn Adelan waisting talaga parang shaiming lang.
Here we go again! A lot of self-righteous people here as if they know the plight of these 3 Filipinas. You dont know what made them do that. You dont know what options they faced, if they have. You are so quick to pass on judgement as if you yourself is so faultless. If the only thing you say could break others dont say anything at all. Keep it yourself and your judgmental spirit.