Welsh businesses face hefty fines for illegal workers

Two separate businesses in Wales were hit with large fines on the same night for hiring illegal workers.

A sum of £35,000 was imposed across the two operations as the UK Border Agency continues to make firm statements that it will not tolerate any practices of hiring illegal workers. On the 23rd of January officials from the UKBA went to Red Hot Goodies which is located on Cardiff Road in Newport following intelligence reports of illegal workers. There they found one Malaysian woman and 6 Chinese men who all failed to produce valid working documentation.

As is procedure, on the spot notices were served and the employer advised that unless the mandatory pre-employment check information was forwarded then the business would be fined, usually £5,000 per person.

Red Hot Goodies failed to provide the required information and was subsequently fined £30,000.

On the same January night, officials also raided the Balti King restaurant on Richmond Rd in Pontnewydd, Cwmbran, where they discovered two Bangladeshi males who were deemed to be working illegally.

After being afforded similar time to provide evidence that necessary right-to-work checks were completed prior to their hire the business was fined £5,000, again failing to provide the UK Border Agency with the information.

The regional director of the UKBA for Wales confirmed that the imposition of the fines showed their commitment to addressing the ongoing problem of illegal workers, adding that will continue to hurt businesses where it hurt the most – in the pocket.

The UKBA urges all businesses to read the guidelines for employment which are published on their website.