The owners of a sandwich factory were served with a Notice of Potential Liability last week, and could face a possible fine of up to £110,000, after 11 illegal workers were arrested.
Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) immigration officers and the police, swooped on Fresh’n’Fast Quality on the Abenglen Industrial Estate in Hayes, Middlesex, on July 30.
Four men and seven women were arrested for a variety of immigration offences, including working in breach of visa conditions, entering the UK illegally, and over-staying on visas, said the UKBA. All now face removal from the country.
“We’re committed to removing people who have no right to be in the UK - and to taking tough action against employers who use and exploit illegal workers,” said inspector Dick Stratton of the UKBA.
“As long as there are illegal jobs, the UK will be an attractive place for illegal immigrants. This operation should serve as a warning for those who break the law.”
Civil penalties for businesses that fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced by the government in February 2008, allowing fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee.