The Home Office has published a consultation document proposing new penalties for employers found to be deliberately hiring undocumented migrant workers. In the report forward Immigration minister, Liam Byrne, states

“Illegal working hurts good business, undercuts legal workers and creates illegal profits. It also puts illegal workers themselves at great risk.”

The proposals include:

• civil penalties for those employers who employ illegal migrant workers as a result of negligent recruitment and employment practices; and
• a tough new criminal offence for those employers found to be knowingly employing illegal migrant workers.

The new measures, which the Home Office propose will take effect early next year, are part of the Home Office’s Illegal Working Action Plan, co-ordinated through the new Border and Immigration Agency (BIA). It follows measures designed to toughen border controls, double enforcement resources and joint work with police and benefits agencies to tackle illegal immigration and its consequences.

Responses to the consultation are due by 7th August 2007.

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