Illegal workers arrested

Jul 22 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

ILLEGAL workers have been arrested after an immigration raid on a Chinese restaurant.

The four staff were found employed at a takeaway establishment in Broxburn, which could now face a heavy fine.

The takeaway closed after the operation, as no staff were left to run it.

The enforcement operation was part of planned nationwide action by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Acting on intelligence, officers from the UK Border Agency targeted Taste of China, on Greendykes Road, at about 5pm on Monday.

After the immigration status of all staff was checked, three Chinese men and one Chinese woman were found to be working illegally in the takeaway.

They will have to report regularly to the UK Border Agency while steps are taken to obtain travel documents and outstanding applications are dealt with.

Once this is completed, those with no right to remain in the UK will be removed as quickly as possible.

The Taste of China has now been served with a civil penalty notice for employing illegal workers.

If the employer is unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before employing the workers, such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document, a fine of up to £40,000 will be imposed.

Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said any employer caught flouting the law will face a heavy fine.

He said:“Where there are skills shortages people can apply to come here legitimately.

“If people ignore our immigration laws, we will find them and remove them from the country.

“Any employer who takes on foreign nationals without permission to work in the UK is breaking the law, undermining law-abiding businesses, and faces fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee.”

Advice for employers about how to employ migrant workers legally is available from the UK Border Agency on www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/

Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said: “The Government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer.

“We are determined to make it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK.

“Illegal immigration puts pressure on public services, local communities and legitimate businesses at a time when this country cannot afford it.

“That’s why the UK Border Agency is working to cut out illegal employment, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers, [which are] being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK illegally.”

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.