Large fines for Herne Bay and Canterbury businesses

A total of eight businesses in the Canterbury and Herne bay region have been issued with collective fines of £50,000 after the Home Office slapped the penalties on the companies.

In the latest raid by UK Border Agency officials based on intelligence, ten people were found to be working illegally in the employment of the eight operations. Each business was issued with a Notice of Liability (NOL) at the time of the raids. As per stipulations, the businesses were allowed time to provide evidence that the mandatory pre-employment checks for the right to work were undertaken. The failure to produce this resulted in the fines being issued.

Salma Cuise in Wingham’s High Street was fined £10,000 for hiring two illegal workers. The owner had been provided with fake passports and NOL numbers but claimed they looked genuine. The employees had been working under the false identification for well over a year. Owner Moynoor Rashid has complied completely with the UKBA and paid all of the fines.

Beano’s Cafe in Herne Bay’s was also found two have two illegal workers also fined accordingly. Owner Kosar Feti claimed that the staff had been employed by the previous owners.

A total of six other businesses in the area were found to have employed one illegal worker and issued with fines of £5,000 each. They included Kashmir Tandoori, Palace Street, High Streets’ Central Parade Kebabs, Pizza Company in Herne Bay, Island Road’s Spice Master, Azouma in Church Street and Westgate Kebabs on St Dunstan’s Street.