The Macao police have nabbed 72 suspected illegal laborers in January, local media reported Wednesday.

Macao Post Daily quoted police sources as saying that the police have conducted a string of inspections against illegal laboring in 110 locations the month, joined by the Labor Affairs Bureau and other concerned authorities.

A total of 535 illegal workers were apprehended here in 2005, a year-on-year rise of 32 percent, according to the newspaper.

Local analysts attributed the increase of illegal laborers in the city to the boom of the construction industry, which was generated by the blossoming gaming business.

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.

(Xinhua News Agency February 15, 2006)