Hong Kong’s Immigration Department (ImmD) announced on 18 September that a series of territory-wide operations between 11-17 September resulted in 35 arrests, including 22 suspected illegal workers, six alleged employers, six overstayers and one alleged aider and abettor. Raids targeted restaurants, retail outlets and refurbishment sites under codenames such as “Lightshadow” and “Silverwing,” some conducted jointly with the Police and Labour Department. Three of the detained workers were holders of recognisance forms prohibiting employment, and one was caught with a forged Hong Kong identity card. Employers face fines up to HK$500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment under amended penalties introduced last year. The crackdown underscores continuing compliance risks for companies hiring short-term or freelance labour. Human-resources managers should ensure rigorous right-to-work checks, especially when engaging part-time staff or contractors during the upcoming Golden Week travel surge. Failure to inspect original identity documents or travel permits is not accepted as a defence, ImmD warned. For global-mobility teams, the message is clear: verify visa status for transferees and dependants who seek secondary employment, and audit vendor workforce practices. ImmD’s hotline (185 185) remains available for anonymous reports, and officials say more inspections will follow as Hong Kong scales up efforts to align with international anti-trafficking standards.
