Twelve illegal workers and five employers have been arrested in an anti-illegal employment operation.

Jointly conducted by the Labour Department and Police, the operation covered 20 locations in North Point, Chai Wan, Wan Chai, San Po Kong and Kwun Tong.

The illegal workers are Mainlanders either holding valid two-way permits or a business visitor endorsement. Four were found working as sales assistants, two as waiters or kitchen helpers, two as foot masseurs, three as workers in covered renovation sites and one as a barber.

Five employers and bosses are being questioned.