20 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations
The Immigration Department (ImmD) mounted a series of territory-wide anti-illegal worker operations codenamed "Contribute", "Lightshadow", "Twilight", a joint operation with the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and the Leisure and Cultural Services Department codenamed "Flabbergast" and a joint operation with Hong Kong Customs, the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Hong Kong Police Force from June 26 to yesterday (July 2).
During the anti-illegal worker operations, ImmD officers raided multiple target locations including retail stores, restaurants, warehouses and flats under renovation. Sixteen suspected illegal workers and four suspected employers were arrested. The arrested suspected illegal workers comprised six men and 10 women, aged 35 to 64. Among them, two women were holding recognisance forms which prohibit them from taking any employment, and three women were suspected of using and being in possession of a forged Hong Kong identity card. A man and three women, aged 50 to 66, were suspected of employing the illegal workers and were also arrested. An investigation into the suspected employers is ongoing, and the possibility of further arrests is not ruled out.
An ImmD spokesman said, "Any person who contravenes a condition of stay in force in respect of him or her shall be guilty of an offence. Also, visitors are not allowed to take employment in Hong Kong, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of the Director of Immigration. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to two years' imprisonment. Aiders and abettors are also liable to prosecution and penalties."
The spokesman warned, "As stipulated in section 38AA of the Immigration Ordinance, an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land is prohibited from taking any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establishing or joining any business. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $50,000 and up to three years' imprisonment. As stipulated in section 20(1)(a) of the Immigration Ordinance, the Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant, prohibiting the immigrant from being in Hong Kong at any time thereafter if the immigrant has been found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable by imprisonment for not less than two years. Under the prevailing laws, it is an offence to use or possess a forged identity card or an identity card related to another person. Offenders are liable to prosecution and upon conviction face a maximum fine of $100,000 and up to 10 years' imprisonment."
The spokesman stressed that it is a serious offence to employ people who are not lawfully employable. Under the Immigration Ordinance, the maximum penalty for an employer employing a person who is not lawfully employable, i.e. an illegal immigrant, a person who is the subject of a removal order or a deportation order, an overstayer or a person who was refused permission to land, has been significantly increased from a fine of $350,000 and three years' imprisonment to a fine of $500,000 and 10 years' imprisonment to reflect the gravity of such offences. The director, manager, secretary, partner, etc, of the company concerned may also bear criminal liability. The High Court has laid down sentencing guidelines that the employer of an illegal worker should be given an immediate custodial sentence.
According to the court sentencing, employers must take all practicable steps to determine whether a person is lawfully employable prior to employment. Apart from inspecting a prospective employee's identity card, the employer has the explicit duty to make enquiries regarding the person and ensure that the answers would not cast any reasonable doubt concerning the lawful employability of the person. The court will not accept failure to do so as a defence in proceedings. It is also an offence if an employer fails to inspect the job seeker's valid travel document if the job seeker does not have a Hong Kong permanent identity card. Offenders are liable upon conviction to a maximum fine of $150,000 and to imprisonment for one year. In that connection, the spokesman would like to remind all employers not to defy the law by employing illegal workers. The ImmD will continue to take resolute enforcement action to combat such offences.
Under the existing mechanism, the ImmD will, as a standard procedure, conduct an initial screening of vulnerable persons, including illegal workers, illegal immigrants, sex workers and foreign domestic helpers, who are arrested during any operation with a view to ascertaining whether they are trafficking in persons (TIP) and/or forced labour victims. When any TIP and/or forced labour indicator is revealed in the initial screening, the ImmD officers will conduct a full debriefing and identification by using a standardised checklist to ascertain the presence of TIP and/or forced labour elements. Identified TIP and/or forced labour victims will be provided with various forms of support and assistance, including urgent intervention, medical services, counselling, shelter or temporary accommodation and other supporting services. The ImmD calls on TIP and/or forced labour victims to report crimes to the relevant departments immediately.
For reporting illegal employment activities, please call the dedicated hotline 185 185, fax at 2824 1166, emailanti_crime@immd.gov.hk, or submit the "Online Reporting of Immigration Offences" form atwww.immd.gov.hk.
20 persons arrested during anti-illegal worker operations Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Update on mosquito-borne diseases, dengue fever and chikungunya fever
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (July 3) announced the latest situation regarding dengue fever (DF) and chikungunya fever (CF). As temperatures rise and the humidity increases, creating favourable conditions for mosquito breeding, members of the public are reminded to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases.
Dengue fever
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From June 26 to yesterday (July 2), the CHP recorded two imported DF cases. Both patients had travelled to Thailand during the incubation period.
Hong Kong has recorded 25 DF cases so far this year, comprising 23 imported cases and two local cases. A total of 59 DF cases were recorded last year (2025), all of which were imported cases. In 2024, 161 DF cases were recorded, comprising 156 imported cases and five local cases.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global incidence of DF has markedly increased over the past two decades, posing a substantial public health challenge. In 2024, the WHO recorded over 14 million cases, which was a record number. In 2025, over 5 million cases and over 4 000 DF-related deaths were reported in over 90 countries/territories. From January to May 2026, over 1.4 million cases and over 500 DF-related deaths have been reported from over 80 countries/territories.
DF is prevalent in many neighbouring tourist destinations. In 2025, Indonesia, India and Vietnam each recorded over 120 000 cases; Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand each recorded over 50 000 cases; and Singapore recorded over 4 000 cases. Meanwhile, according to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, Guangdong Province has recorded over 3 500 local cases in 2025. In 2026, up to May, Guangdong Province has recorded 131 DF cases; and among them 46 cases were recorded in May.
Detailed information on the latest DF situation in Hong Kong, as well as neighbouring and overseas countries and areas, has been uploaded to the CHP's website.
Chikungunya fever
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From June 26 to yesterday, no new cases of CF had been recorded. Hong Kong has recorded two confirmed CF cases so far this year, both of which were imported cases. Hong Kong recorded a total of 82 confirmed CF cases last year. Among them, 11 were local cases and the rest were imported cases.
Last year, a total of 502 264 CF cases and 186 CF-related deaths were reported in 41 countries/territories. Cases have been reported in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Europe. According to the Guangdong Provincial Disease Control and Prevention Administration, in 2026, up to May, Guangdong Province has recorded 36 CF cases; and among them 32 cases were recorded in May.
Preventive measures to be taken by the public
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According to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), as compared with last year, the temperature began to climb earlier this year and the rainfall in June has increased substantially, creating favourable conditions for mosquito growth and breeding. Depending on factors like rainfall, the gravidtrap indexes for Aedes albopictus may rise further.
Therefore, the CHP reminds members of the public to maintain good environmental hygiene, and to take appropriate measures to prevent mosquito bites and mosquito breeding, both in Hong Kong and when travelling to areas affected by mosquito-borne diseases, in order to prevent mosquito-borne diseases. Mosquito-borne diseases such as DF and CF are endemic in various countries worldwide. The risk of importation persists. Members of the public should check the situation at their destinations before travelling abroad, especially when travelling to Southeast Asian countries. Additionally, whether travelling or not, members of the public should use DEET-containing insect repellents or other effective active ingredients properly to prevent mosquito bites, but the following precautions should be taken when using them:
- read the label instructions carefully first;
- apply right before entering an area with a risk of mosquito bites;
- apply on exposed skin and clothing;
- use DEET of up to 30 per cent for pregnant women and up to 10 per cent for children (for children who travel to countries or areas where mosquito-borne diseases are endemic or epidemic, and where exposure is likely, those aged 2 months or above can use DEET-containing insect repellents with a DEET concentration of up to 30 per cent);
- apply sunscreen first, then insect repellent;
- reapply only when needed and follow the instructions; and
- in addition to DEET, there are other insect repellents available on the market containing different active ingredients, such as IR3535 and picaridin. When using any insect repellent, the public should follow the usage instructions and precautions on the product label.
The FEHD also appeals to members of the public to continue to stay alert and work together to carry out mosquito prevention and control measures early, including inspecting their homes and surroundings to remove potential breeding grounds, changing water in vases and scrubbing their inner surfaces, removing water in saucers under potted plants at least once a week, and properly disposing of containers such as empty cans and lunch boxes. The FEHD also advises members of the public and property management agencies to keep drains free of blockage and level all defective ground surfaces to prevent the accumulation of water. They should also scrub all drains and surface sewers with an alkaline detergent at least once a week to remove any mosquito eggs.
The public should call 1823 in case of mosquito problems, and may visit the following pages for more information: the CF page of the CHP and the Travel Health Service, the latest Travel Health News, tips for using insect repellents, and the CHP Facebook Page, Instagram Account and YouTube Channel, and also the Mosquito Prevention and Control dedicated page of the FEHD.
Source: AI-found images
