by Hayley Robinson

Two illegal workers have been arrested following a raid on a Sittingbourne restaurant.

Officers from the UK Border Agency visited The Spice Fusion, in Roman Square, on August 10 where checks on the immigration status of staff revealed two men, from Bangladesh, aged 51 and 28, were working at the Indian restaurant illegally.

One of the men was found to be working in breach of his visa conditions while the other had entered the UK illegally.

Both men were arrested and remain in UK Border Agency detention pending their removal from the UK.

The restaurant now faces a potential fine of up to £20,000, £10,000 per illegal worker, if they can’t prove that the correct right-to-work checks, such as asking for a passport or work permit, were carried out before taking on the staff.

Karyn Dunning, who heads the UK Border Agency’s immigration team for Kent, said: "The message is clear for employers – we will not tolerate illegal working. It is a crime that not only undercuts local business but also has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

"It is the legal responsibility of all employers to check that staff have the right to work in the UK."

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.
homeoffice.gov.uk or call the UK Border Agency’s helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects illegal workers are being employed by a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.