The Macao police have nabbed 160 suspected illegal laborers in
January and February, according to a press release issued on
Wednesday.
The release issued by the Information Bureau said the number was
nearly one third of the total number of illegal laborers
apprehended in 2005.
In 2005, the number of illegal employees seized by the
authorities rose 32 percent over 2004, according to official
statistics.
Local analysts attributed the rise of the illegal employment
figure partly to a large number of construction projects.
The construction industry has been booming in Macao, which is
viewed as being generated by the blossoming gaming business.
The employment of illegal workers is a crime that incurs hefty
fines and imprisonment in case of repeat offenders. Illegal
employed workers are customarily ordered to leave Macao.
(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2006)