Record fine for Essex restaurant owners

14/05/2009 13:16:25

UK employers have been reminded of the need to check the backgrounds of any new employees they offer bar and restaurant work to.

The owners of Temptations Chinese Restaurant on Balkerne Hill, Colchester, have been fined a record £96,000 in respect of six breaches of the Asylum and Immigration Act 1996.

Phing Woon Pun and Anthony Lam were found guilty of hiring six illegal immigrants from China, Indonesia and Malaysia in restaurant jobs.

A raid conducted by the UK Border Agency and Essex Police in November 2007 discovered the illegal employment practice.

Gail Adams, UK Border Agency regional director for the Midlands and the east of England, said the record fine sent out "a clear message" that employers who recruit illegal workers will not be tolerated.

She added: "Illegal working is unfair on honest employers who recruit staff with the right to work in the UK and who pay them a proper salary.

"That is why we are working hard to pull the plug on the jobs which lure illegal immigrants to come to the UK in the first place."

Under government rules, employers who fail to conduct sufficient background checks on job applicants may be fined up to £10,000 per illegal worker if such employees are found on their payroll.

Restaurant jobs in Colchester

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