The Macao police have nabbed 25 illegal laborers in August, the government announced on Thursday.

A press release issued by the Labor Affairs Bureau said the concerned authorities in the month have conducted 94 swoops on 106 business sites, involving identification checks of some 4,500 workers.

The employment of illegal workers is a crime that incurs hefty fines and imprisonment in case of repeat offenders. Illegal employed workers are customarily ordered to leave Macao.

The Macao authorities have recently pledged to intensify the crackdown on illegal labor in a bid to protect the interests of the local workforce.

(Xinhua News Agency September 15, 2006)