The Border Guard is fighting illegal workers across Australia. (photo from Australian Border Service official website)
The Australian Border Service (ABF) has launched a crackdown on illegal workers codenamed "Bonasus" across Australia, arresting several labour agents suspected of employing illegal work and transferring the proceeds of exploitation overseas, according to the Australian Border Agency`s official website.
The operation found more than 225 people working in Australia in violation of visa regulations. In the campaign against organized visa fraud, illegal work and the exploitation of foreign nationals, Border Guard personnel raided nearly 50 commercial activities and homes, and captured foreign nationals working illegally in Australia from Malaysia. Indonesia, China, Vietnam, Tunisia, Pakistan and Bangladesh are involved in areas ranging from agriculture to retail and services. More than 300 people have been denied entry.
Hans Muller (Robyn Miller), commander of the "Field and Removal" operation of the Australian Border Defense Agency, said that the operation would serve as a warning against workers and their employers who intend to work illegally or have already worked in Australia. At the same time, it is pointed out that any act of promoting or participating in illegal work will have a long-term negative impact on Australian society and individuals, including low wages of overseas workers, poor living conditions and unfair shocks to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Investigations into captured labour and employment agents are still under way. Under Australian law, employers who organize illegal work will be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and / or a fine of up to A $ two hundred and ten thousand. The Australian Border Service reminds individual visa holders to be familiar with the visa regulations to ensure that they live and work legally in Australia. Individuals found to work illegally in Australia will be detained and deported, will face a three-year ban on entry, or will have to pay for their own expulsions.
It is reported that most of the illegal workers captured during the operation have been repatriated to their countries of origin, and a small number are being investigated by the Immigration Border Department on immigration status.
