MACAO -- The Macao police have nabbed 160 suspected illegal laborers in January and February, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.

The release issued by the Information Bureau said the number was nearly one third of the total number of illegal laborers apprehended in 2005.

In 2005, the number of illegal employees seized by the authorities rose 32 percent over 2004, according to official statistics.

Local analysts attributed the rise of the illegal employment figure partly to a large number of construction projects.

The construction industry has been booming in Macao, which is viewed as being 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.