Tougher penalties for employing illegal workers

This week the Government announced its new, tougher penalties to tackle illegal working. In a crack down on illegal working, employers who exploit workers will face tougher enforcement action and stronger penalties. New regulations to double the maximum penalty for employing illegal workers from £10,000 to £20,000 will come into force at the start of May 2014 . Other measures announced include

• increasing the maximum fine for employers paying below the National Minimum Wage from £5,000 to £20,000, thus bringing this in line with the maximum penalty for employing illegal migrants
• new regulations to tackle recruitment agencies which discriminate against UK workers by recruiting solely from abroad.

Never is it more pressing to ensure that full checks are undertaken of all identity and status documents. Remember that for those employed that are subject to immigration control ie: a time limit on their stay in the UK, then checks must be undertaken every 12 months to ensure that the leave it still valid or renewed.

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