Illegal workers cost Swansea restaurant dearly

An Indian restaurant in Swansea has been fined £25,000 after it was caught employing five illegal workers.

Immigration officers from the UK Border Agency went to the Viceroy of India, 50 St Helen's Road, on 25 February this year.

Once inside they checked the immigration status of staff and found that five men had no legal right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

A 34-year-old waiter had entered the country illegally. In the kitchen, a 29-year-old was found to be an illegal entrant, a 37-year-old was identified as a failed asylum seeker, a 27-year-old was found to have overstayed his visa and a 64-year-old was found to be an illegal entrant.

Officers served an on-the-spot notice, warning the employers they would be fined unless proof was provided that they carried out legally-required checks on staff from outside Europe such as asking for a passport or work permit.

No evidence was provided and the employer has now been given a £25,000 civil penalty fine.

Jane Farleigh, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Wales and the South West, said: "The use of illegal workers undercuts legitimate businesses and is unfair on honest employers. This substantial fine shows how seriously we are taking this offence. The UK Border Agency works with employers so they understand the rules, but businesses have a responsibility to carry out the right checks before taking on migrant workers.

"If they don't, they could end up having to pay the kind of fines imposed on these employers."

The Viceroy of India has also been named on the UK Border Agency website which publishes the details of employers who have been found liable for a civil penalty.

The civil penalty system was introduced by the Government last year and provides a swift and effective means of tackling employers who make inadequate checks on their workers from outside Europe.

A penalty of up to £10,000 can be handed out for each illegal worker found at a business.

Identity cards for foreign nationals are also being rolled out, which will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working.

Guidance for employers on preventing illegal working can be found on the UK Border Agency website, www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or by calling the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.

Words: Clare Riley

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