Compliance operations snare 16 illegal workers in WA and SA
Friday, 11 April 2008
Two separate immigration compliance operations in Western Australia and South Australia have picked up 16 illegal workers, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.
In a joint operation with WA Police on Thursday, nine men and two women from Malaysia and the People's Republic of China were located near Margaret River. All were unlawful non–citizens who had been working illegally in the region's horticultural industry.
In South Australia, police assisted immigration compliance officers to execute a warrant on a house in Adelaide. Four Malaysian nationals were found to be unlawful non–citizens and one Korean woman had her visa cancelled for breaching work conditions. All had been working illegally in the horticultural industry north of the city.
All 16 illegal workers originally arrived in Australia legally with valid visas. They are currently in immigration detention while arrangements are made for their removal from Australia.
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 who are working illegally or overstaying their visas,' Senator Evans said.
DIAC 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 entitlements, including the free Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) service, which allows employers to provide relevant identification details of prospective employees with their consent to quickly confirm that they are eligible to work in Australia.
People with information on illegal workers or visa overstayers should call the Immigration Dob-In Line.
Telephone: 1800 009 623
URL: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au
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Last update: 13 August 2008 at 17:14 AEST