Arrangements are today being made for the removal of illegal workers detained in a series of immigration compliance operations in south-eastern NSW, while a further seven people have been granted bridging visas.
The operations were conducted at premises in Wollongong, Shellharbour, Campbelltown, Culburra, Leaumeah, Tahmoor, Bargo and the Southern Highlands during the past week.The 11 people detained were transferred to Sydney’s Villawood Immigration Detention Centre for processing ahead of their removal from Australia at the earliest opportunity.The 11 illegal workers, all of whom were on expired visas, comprise:
two Chinese men and one Korean man found in Campbelltown working as boiler-makers
two Pakistani men found working in Wollongong – one in a convenience store and the other in a restaurant
a Chinese man and woman found working in the hospitality industry in Shellharbour
a Malaysian woman found working in the hospitality industry in the Jervis Bay area
a Chinese man and woman found working in a Southern Highlands restaurant
and a Chinese man found working in Bargo as a chef.
The seven people granted bridging visas to either depart Australia or reapply for suitable visas comprise:
a Fijian man found working as a forklift driver in Tahmoor
an Indian man found working in the manufacturing industry in Leaumeah
a Chinese man and woman found working in a sex industry premises in Wollongong
an Indian woman working in the hospitality industry in Wollongong
an Indian man found working in a Wollongong fruit shop
and a Chinese woman working in another sex industry premises in Wollongong.
A departmental spokesman said investigations into the circumstances of the employment of the illegal workers were continuing.
Employers convicted under Commonwealth legislation of having illegal workers face fines of up to $13 200 and two years’ imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker. People with information about illegal workers or visa overstayers are encouraged to call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
These operations follow the successful location of 17 illegal workers across a number of towns in regional NSW late last month.