Four illegal workers located near Batlow
Media Release - 7 April 2008
Immigration compliance officers have detained four Malaysians working illegally on a farm in southern NSW, a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said today.
‘The four men were questioned by NSW Police near Batlow yesterday following information provided by members of the community,’ the spokesman said.
‘Police referred the men to DIAC compliance officers, who detained them after establishing that they were in Australia unlawfully.
‘The men were transported to Villawood Immigration Detention Centre in Sydney yesterday and arrangements are now being made for them to be returned to Malaysia.
‘The weekend detentions follow last week’s location of a group of Malaysians working illegally in the agriculture industry near the North Queensland town of Dimbulah.’
The DIAC spokesman said the immigration compliance operations highlighted a strong commitment to combating illegal workers.
‘We are committed to maintaining the integrity of Australia's visa program by locating people working illegally and overstaying their visas,” the spokesman said.
‘Department of Immigration and Citizenship officers, often with assistance from state police, make regular visits to workplaces to detect people working illegally.
‘It is the responsibility of employers to ensure they only hire people with the entitlement to work in Australia.
‘Employers convicted under this legislation face fines of up to $13 200 and two years' imprisonment while companies face fines of up to $66 000 per illegal worker.’
The department provides a range of services for employers to check work entitlements, including Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) which is a free service, the Visa Entitlement Verification Faxback service and the Employers’ Immigration Hotline.
People with information on visa overstayers or illegal workers should call the Immigration Dob-In Line on 1800 009 623.
Media Enquiries: National Communications 02 6264 2244