Suffolk restaurant faces hefty fine for employing illegal workers

2nd October 2009, 9:52am

The China Diner in Lowestoft, Suffolk, is facing a fine of up to £40,000 after being caught employing illegal workers for a second time.

Four members of staff - all Chinese - were found to be working at the restaurant illegally. The four - a 23-year-old man who was breaching his student visa, a 43-year-old male failed asylum seeker, a 41-year-old female failed asylum seeker and a 44-year-old male failed asylum seeker - have all been detained while arrangements are made for their removal from the UK.

It is the second time the restaurant has been visited by the UK Border Agency. In August last year the restaurant was caught employing eight illegal immigrants and was fined £15,000.

Chief Immigration Officer Jack Davis, said: "'We continue to offer advice to employers with foreign nationals among their staff and genuine employers have nothing to be concerned about by contacting us for help. 

"However, those who persist in using illegal labour to cut costs will be penalised and we will concentrate our efforts on them to reduce the incentive for illegal migration to this region."

A tough new civil penalty system was brought in last year to provide a fast and effective way of tackling bosses who fail to carry out proper checks on workers from outside Europe. A fine of up to £10,000 per worker can be imposed for every illegal worker found at a business.

Related Articles:

• 24 Nov 2009 - Restaurants must wait another two weeks before recruiting migrant chefs
• 06 Aug 2009 - High-street restaurant chains in illegal workers swoop
• 05 Aug 2009 - Illegal workers found in Cumbrian restaurant
• 24 Jul 2009 - Ten illegal workers are found in Scottish restaurants
• 15 Jul 2008 - Restaurant faces £40,000 fine after raid
• 09 Jun 2008 - Restaurant owners face huge illegal workers fine
• 29 Feb 2008 - Huge fines for employing illegal workers take affect
• 09 Jan 2008 - Ad campaign to raise awareness of illegal workers

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