Hong Kong’s Immigration Department (ImmD) has completed an eight-day territory-wide operation codenamed “Swordfish,” arresting 14 suspected illegal workers—most of them foreign domestic helpers—as well as seven alleged employers. Officers raided 47 locations ranging from restaurants and retail shops to activity venues. The helpers arrested were found dish-washing, cleaning or performing non-contractual duties, in breach of their visa conditions.
The enforcement push underscores the city’s strict stance on visa compliance. Under current rules, foreign domestic helpers may only perform household duties for the employer named in their contract. Violations carry jail sentences of up to two years and a HK$50,000 fine; employers face even steeper penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and HK$500,000 in fines after amendments raised sanctions last year.
![Immigration Department arrests 21 in eight-day crackdown on illegal work by foreign helpers]()
For corporations that employ domestic staff for expatriates, the message is clear: ensure helpers do not undertake off-contract work such as part-time cleaning at serviced apartments or corporate events. Immigration lawyers report a rise in random workplace inspections targeting service industries that often hire casual labour.
ImmD reiterated that it screens all arrested persons for trafficking-in-persons indicators and provides support where needed. It also invited the public to report suspected illegal employment via its 24-hour hotline. The operation follows a similar campaign in late October that netted 21 illegal workers, suggesting stepped-up, continuous enforcement through the fourth-quarter holiday season.
The enforcement push underscores the city’s strict stance on visa compliance. Under current rules, foreign domestic helpers may only perform household duties for the employer named in their contract. Violations carry jail sentences of up to two years and a HK$50,000 fine; employers face even steeper penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and HK$500,000 in fines after amendments raised sanctions last year.
For corporations that employ domestic staff for expatriates, the message is clear: ensure helpers do not undertake off-contract work such as part-time cleaning at serviced apartments or corporate events. Immigration lawyers report a rise in random workplace inspections targeting service industries that often hire casual labour.
ImmD reiterated that it screens all arrested persons for trafficking-in-persons indicators and provides support where needed. It also invited the public to report suspected illegal employment via its 24-hour hotline. The operation follows a similar campaign in late October that netted 21 illegal workers, suggesting stepped-up, continuous enforcement through the fourth-quarter holiday season.
