Buffet facing £60kfineover illegal workers

A GLASGOW business could be fined as much as £60,000 after immigration offenders were found working on its premises.

Three workers at the East World Buffet on Sauchiehall Street were arrested as part of an intelligence led operation.

Two Chinese men, both aged 49, who had entered the country illegally and a 29-year-old Pakistani man, who had overstayed his student visa, were picked up by Immigration Enforcement officers last Friday.

The business has been given a referral notice in relation to the three illegal workers.

A financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out ahead of them being given employment.

This includes seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

Ian Tyldesley, assistant director for Immigration Enforcement, said: “Those who use and exploit illegal workers face severe financial penalties.

“We are happy to work with businesses to ensure the right preemployment checks are carried out, but those intent on operating outside the law will be found and will be punished.

“Using illegal labour is not victimless.

“It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest businesses and cheats legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.”

All three men have been detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.