Evening Telegraph 28th October 2008
Nine foreign nationals have been arrested for working illegally in Dundee after a series of raids by the UK Border Agency (writes David Clegg).
The owners of a city centre restaurant and a takeaway in a housing estate are also facing hefty fines for employing the workers, who will now be removed from the country.
Immigration officers, supported by Tayside Police, swooped on several restaurants in an intelligence-led operation on Thursday night. Two men from Pakistan, and three men and one woman from China were arrested.
The businesses were issued with on-the-spot notices, warning that they may receive civil penalties. If further investigations show proper checks were not undertaken before hiring the workers, they could face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker employed.
Following the operation, three further foreign nationals were arrested at addresses in the city. Steps will also be taken to remove them from the UK.
Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said, “This operation in Dundee was based on intelligence we received. The agency will not tolerate illegal working, which threatens to damage our communities.
“I urge businesses to make sure they take the correct action to check an employee’s immigration status.
“We will step in and identify businesses breaking immigration laws, and they now face substantial fines for not making proper checks.”
Last month two Dundee restaurateurs were hit with fines.
The penalty scheme sits alongside a tough new criminal offence of knowingly employing an illegal migrant worker.
Employers can call the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 0106677 or visit their Home Office website for further information.
