In the past 12 months, the Immigration Department mounted 4,456 operations against illegal workers resulting in 4,745 arrests. The figure excludes prostitutes.

Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee told legislators today that 2,708 of those arrested were convicted for breaching their conditions of stay, while 124 were convicted of hawking at places not set aside for hawking, or of obstruction.

Some 987 employers were arrested for suspected employment of illegal workers and 384 were convicted.

Mr Lee said the department and the Police deploy their manpower according to operational needs. He said there is pressure for more manpower resources to be deployed to fight illegal employment.

The Government will regularly review and adjust the departments' manpower deployment to ensure effective action against illegal employment.