Two arrested in shop illegal workers probe

THE employer of two suspected illegal immigrants found working at a Shaw off licence is facing a £20,000 fine.

The UK Border Agency’s Manchester enforcement team arrested two Pakistani men working at Wraggs Tavern in Market Street.

A notice of potential liability (NOPL) was served and the employer now has 28 days to provide the Agency with evidence that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out or face a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker.

The Agency works to protect our borders, control migration for the benefit of the country, prevent border tax fraud, smuggling and immigration crime and make quick and fair decisions on asylum claims.

Spokesman Dave Magrath said: “We will not tolerate illegal working in Oldham or anywhere else —it undercuts British wages and exploits vulnerable workers.

“As long as there are illegal jobs, the UK will be an attractive place for illegal immigrants.

“That’s why we have to put a stop to employers who don’t play by the rules.”

The UK’s immigration system has recently undergone massive reform making sure that only those with the skills required by the UK are allowed to work here.

Fingerprint visas are being rolled out across the globe to prevent people coming to the UK on a false identity whilst ID cards for foreign nationals have recently been introduced.

n Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/ or they can call the UK Border Agency Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in the area can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.