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The chips are down for illegal worker
09 July 2009
An illegal worker was arrested on Tuesday 7 July during a raid by the UK Border Agency.
The team of immigration officers targeted Chubbys Chunky Chip Shop on Regent's Street on the Isle of Wight at about 17.30, as a result of intelligence gathered by the Agency's Portsmouth based enforcement team.
After questioning staff and checking identity documents, officers arrested a 28-year-old Turkish failed asylum seeker who was believed to be working in the take away.
The man was taken into custody whilst officers work to remove him from the United Kingdom.
The owner of the business was issued with a notice of potential liability in respect of the illegal worker and may now face a fine of up to £10,000 for the illegal worker employed. To avoid a heavy fine, the employers must convince the UK Border Agency that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks for employing a worker from outside the European Union (EU).
No matter what line of business you are in, you are not safe Ian Harrison, immigration officer
Civil penalties for business owners who fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced by the Government on February 29 2008.
Immigration officer in charge, Ian Harrison said:
'This arrest shows our commitment to targeting those who employ illegal workers. It is a crime that not only undercuts local business, but also has a serious impact on local communities; taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. We will act on any information received and if appropriate visit the place concerned and make arrests. No matter what line of business you are in, you are not safe. We will not tolerate illegal working on the Isle of Wight.'
A tough new civil penalty system was brought in last year to provide a fast and effective way of tackling bosses who fail to carry out proper checks on workers from outside Europe. A fine of up to £10,000 per worker can be imposed for every illegal worker found at a business.
Guidance for employers on preventing illegal working can be found on the UK Border Agency website, or by calling the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.