The Macao police have nabbed 294 illegal laborers in the first four months, the government announced on Wednesday.

A press release issued by the Information Bureau said the concerned authorities have conducted 379 swoops on 414 business sites, involving identification checks of 6,292 workers.

Most of the illegal laborers were from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, said the release.

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.

The Macao authorities have pledged to intensify the crackdown on illegal labor in a bid to protect the interests of the local workforce.

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2006)