Immigration cracks down on “dodgy employers” and detains dozens of illegal workers

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Immigration agents have detained 75 people Suspected illegal workers This is part of a week-long crackdown on “dishonest employers”.

The Home Office said that last week, police visited more than 225 businesses, particularly car washes, and 122 of them were issued civil penalties for employing illegal workers.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “It is simply wrong that crooked employers are working in cahoots with smuggling gangs to risk people’s lives by bringing them into Australia illegally and forcing them to work illegally.

“These workers are deceived by these gangs and then forced to live and work in appalling conditions for meagre pay. We are determined to put a stop to this, which is why we launch crackdowns like this one.

“While this action marks an important step forward, our commitment to tackling this problem continues. We will ensure those who break the rules face the full force of the law.”

Officials say illegal workers often live in “squalid” conditions, are paid below the minimum wage and are forced to work long hours while their employers underpay their competitors and often fail to pay their fair share of taxes.

If a business is found to have employed workers illegally, they could face fines of up to £45,000 per employee for a first offence and up to £60,000 per employee for repeat offenders.

As part of Labor’s plan to improve border security, Ms Cooper announced soon after taking office in July that immigration enforcement planned to “step up” operations over the summer.

On Wednesday she said she wanted to use the next six months to deport people who have no right to be in the UK to the highest level since 2018 and announced a new “intelligence-driven” plan to crack down on businesses employing people illegally.

Eddie Montgomery, ICE’s director of enforcement, compliance and crime, said: “This week’s actions demonstrate the Home Office’s commitment to protecting vulnerable people and holding employers to account.

“We are committed to stopping exploitation by criminal gangs, ensuring vulnerable people get the right support and that offenders face tough consequences.

“I am incredibly proud of the hard work and teamwork our teams across the country put in to prepare for and conduct this national operation.”