Compliance operation picks up 14 illegal workers in South Australia
Thursday, 13 March 2008
Immigration compliance officers have located 14 people suspected of illegally working in the horticulture industry in South Australia’s south-east, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.
The Malaysians and Indonesians were located near the town of Penola, where they were living. Eight are unlawful non-citizens and six have had their visas cancelled for breaching work conditions.
Senator Evans said the immigration compliance operations highlighted a strong commitment to combating illegal workers.
'The department’s compliance officers are committed to maintaining the integrity of Australia’s visa program by locating people working illegally and overstaying their visas,' Senator Evans said.
Of the unlawful non-citizens, one is a Malaysian woman while the seven men comprise two Indonesians and five Malaysians. Those who have had visas cancelled include two men and three women from Malaysia and an Indonesian man.
The operation was based on information from the community. Immigration compliance officers from Adelaide were assisted by local police in the early morning operation. Investigations are ongoing into associated elements of the workers’ origins and status.
Arrangements will now be made for their removal from Australia.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship officers, often with assistance from state police, make regular visits to workplaces and properties in many parts of Australia in an effort to detect and locate people who are in the country illegally or who are working illegally.
'It is the responsibility of employers to ensure they only hire people with the right to work in Australia,' Senator Evans said.
'Severe penalties can apply to people who hire workers who do not have work rights in Australia.
'Employers convicted under this legislation face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.'
The department provides a range of services for employers to check work rights, including the Employer Work Rights Checking Information Line, a free-call centralised Employer Work Rights Fax-back Facility as well as an online service.
People with information on visa overstayers or illegal workers should call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
/media/media-releases/2008/ce08025.htm
Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST