Illegal immigrant workers found in Qld

Immigration authorities will send 20 illegal workers back to China after a police
raid on a Brisbane food processing plant.
The nine men and 11 women, all Chinese nationals, were working at the Morningside
plant in the early hours of Tuesday.
A criminal warrant was also executed at the factory by the Australian Federal Police
and immigration investigators to get evidence of the workers' employment.
Two men detained had their visas cancelled for working in breach of their visa
conditions and the remainder of the group had all overstayed their visas.
Investigations are ongoing.
A Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) spokesman said they would pursue
with the Director of Public Prosecutions any possible criminal prosecution related
to the hiring and exploitation of illegal workers.
"This should serve as a warning that employing illegal workers will not be tolerated
and that you can literally lose your workforce overnight," the spokesman said.
"All employers need to be aware it is a criminal offence to employ or refer a person
for employment where that person is not entitled to work in Australia."
Employers convicted of illegal worker offences face fines of up to $13,200 and/or
two years' imprisonment per illegal worker.
Companies face fines of up to $66,000 per illegal worker.