THE Dragon Court Chinese restaurant on Grey St was raided last Wednesday morning by eight immigration officers who then detained three of the kitchen staff.
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The officers entered just before midday and then blocked the front and back door, holding staff inside, confiscating phones and checking each staff member’s details and paperwork.
Two men, one from the people’s republic of China, and one from Malaysia, and one woman, also from the People’s Republic of China were detained by the officers and were transferred immediately to the Villawood Detention Centre to be removed from Australia at the earliest opportunity according to Minister for immigration and citizenship Brendan O’Connor.
The workers had been employed by the restaurant for several years.
An anonymous tip-off, most likely from an ex-employee, led the officers to the restaurant.
The raid was part of a compliance operation which managed to snare 11 illegal workers and visa over-stayers in the Hunter and North West region, namely Glen Innes, Cessnock, Scone, Moree and Boggabri.
“Of this group of three women and eight men, eight people were detained and transferred to Villawood,” Mr O’Connor said.
The department received most of the information about the workers through their ‘dob-in line’, although some came from other sources.
New legislation coming in on June 1 will mean fines will apply ranging from $3060 to $76,500 per illegal worker for the business employing them.
Between the start of 2011 and March this year more than 3600 illegal workers were found in Australia.
People with information about illegal workers should contact the immigration dob-in line on 1800 009 623.
