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Not such lucky stars - three illegal workers caught
09 November 2009
Three people were found working illegally in Wakefield area on the evening of Sunday 1 November 2009 in operations by the UK Border Agency, leaving their employers facing a total of up to £30,000 in fines.
Acting on intelligence, UK Border Agency Officers conducted visits first to Lucky Star Takeaway, 200 Aberford Road, Wakefield, and then to Aroma Tandoori Takeaway, Syke Parade, Tingley, to check that those working there were entitled to work and be in the United Kingdom.
On entering the Lucky Star Takeaway they questioned those inside and found two Chinese males, aged 23 and 27, both failed asylum seekers working their illegally. They were removed from the premises and the employer now faces a possible fine of up to £20,000 for employing two illegal workers.
At Aroma Tandoori, officers encountered a Pakistani male, aged 24, working their illegally. He was arrested for illegal entry to the United Kingdom, and will remain in detention whilst further investigations are made. The employer was also served with a penalty notice for up £10,000.
Steve Lamb, Regional Operations Director of the UK Border Agency in North East, Yorkshire and the Humber, said:
'The message is clear for employers - we will not tolerate illegal working. It is a crime that not only undercuts local business but also has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.
'There are simple ways of checking a foreign national's right to work and there is no excuse for not checking the identity of those applying for jobs.
'We support and encourage employers to comply with the rules, but when they fail to do so it is right that we crack down on them.'
Both employers were issued with a civil penalties notice known as a NOPL (Notification of Potential Liability) for employing illegal workers and may now be liable to fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.
The employer will have 28 days from receipt of the NOPL to provide the UK Border Agency with evidence that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out. The tough new civil penalty system was brought in last year to provide a fast and effective way of tackling employers who fail to carry out proper checks on workers from outside Europe.
Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.