Illegal worker swoop on restaurants
Last updated at 14:47, Thursday, 29 July 2010
THREE Bangladeshi men were arrested following an immigration crackdown on illegal workers in South Cumbrian restaurants last night.
A trio of workers at the Prince of India restaurant in Crescent Road, Windermere, were arrested on suspicion of alleged immigration offences, including overstaying and a breach of visa conditions.
The restaurant must now pay a £30,000 fine – £10,000 per worker – unless bosses can prove they carried out the correct right-to-work checks.
The workers were detained pending possible removal from the UK.
The crackdown was carried out by 10 uniformed UK Border Agency officers and two plain-clothed police detectives.
They also questioned seven members of staff at the British Raj Indian restaurant in King Street, Ulverston, and five at Amber Court Chinese restaurant in Main Street, Grange.
All 12 were found to be either British passport holders or had a legal right to work in the UK.
The enforcement operation was part of a nationwide summer campaign to tackle illegal working and organised immigration crime.
The officers started at the British Raj, where staff were questioned for 50 minutes. One couple was sitting at a table when officers entered at 6pm and a few customers had to be turned away during the operation.
Restaurant manager Mustaq Rahman said: “We don’t want to disturb this action, it’s beneficial for the whole country. We assisted with their work. As long as they are thinking of our business. Sometimes what’s happening, they come in and it’s a busy time.
“This time is a busy time and on another night we could be full up. Customers, if they see from outdoors they don’t want to come in. They (Border Agency) come a lot of times in here. We’re happy as long as they come at quiet times.”
Three tables were occupied when officers arrived at the Amber Court, Grange, at 7.40pm.
Restaurant manager Derek Hui was frustrated by the investigation and his wife, Jasmine, upset.
Mr Hui said: “This is our business. We were quite busy, five people were standing in the kitchen and we can’t continue to work. It disrupts our kitchen.”
The UK Border Agency said it arrested three workers on its last visit to Amber Court.
Mr Hui said: “Last time, they (the arrested workers) had shown me their passport, ID, National Insurance, I check it’s not expired. So I take it. The immigration office come in and say that ID is not true – what can I do? I have all regular customers in (last night) and they all say ‘why, why, why?’ It’s very embarrassing. ”
Gary McCarthy, who led the UK Border Agency operation, said of the operation at Amber Court: “These operations send out a strong deterrent message which has resulted in employers taking heed of what we’ve said. Obviously, they’ve heeded our advice and checked all their staff out before giving them employment.”
Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers should visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call 0300 123 4699.
Anyone who suspects illegal workers are being employed should contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
l Three Bangladeshi men, aged 21, 26 and 30, all working at the Prince of India restaurant in Windermere, were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.
First published at 13:07, Thursday, 29 July 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
