1st February, 2010

On the 25th of January 2010 the UKBA carried out intelligence led visits to two Bedford restaurants where a total of three illegal workers were found.

First of all UKBA officers paid a visit to the Al Badar in Midland Road where they found 2 illegal workers.  The Al Badar was previously found to be employing illegal workers and fined £10,000 during 2009. This time it faces the prospect of a further fine of up to £20,000 - £10,000 per illegal worker unless the business can prove the correct checks were carried out pre-employment. Officers located 2 illegal workers found working in the kitchens, the individuals in question, a 39 year old Pakistani man and a 30 year old Afghan man. 

In addition to this Nando's in the High Street were also visited by officers and they located a kitchen worker that had overstayed his visa, the individual in question here was a 38 year old Nigerian man.  Nando's also face the possibility of a £10,000 fine for the illegal worker found unless they are able to prove that correct pre-employment checks were carried out.

The governments hard lined no nonsense approach to individuals working illegally as well as towards those employing them illegally should restore faith in the local community of the governments commitment to cracking down on illegal immigrants.