The Macao police have nabbed 74 illegal laborers in May, the government announced on Tuesday.

A press release issued by the Information Bureau said the concerned authorities in the month have conducted 85 swoops on 92 business sites, involving identification checks of 4,840 workers.

Some 300 illegal laborers have been apprehended in the first four months, according to official statistics issued in May.

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 June 21, 2006)