Working together against illegal workers

IT is difficult not to sympathise with Shavaro Ali, owner of the Shireen Tandoori in Inverness city centre. When two workers arrived from an English employment agency he did the right thing and asked for proof they had permission to work in Britain. They produced a British passport and a visa, described now by Mr Ali’s solicitor as “high-quality forgeries”, and he took them on.

Only when UK Border Agency officials arrived out of the blue did he learn that he was breaking the law and subsequently received a £5000 fine.

Today we report how he is threatening to shut his business, which has suffered from publicity surrounding the incident, rather than pay up. He alleges he has been victimised by the agency having received three visits in the 12 months since the restaurant’s opening.

Clearly, Mr Ali is going to have to pay sooner rather than later. The papers were forged, his staff were working illegally and the ultimate responsibility is his. He might as well do so now rather than incur the further expense of being taken to court.

But it seems more could have been done to warn him, and other business people, of what to look out for and how professional those supplying false documents have become, After all, having been visited by the agency, Mr Ali was on his guard yet was still taken in.

Over at Jimmy Chung’s, another restaurant successfully targeted by illegal workers, Keith Fung also complains at the lack of information and warnings from the agency.

A picture seems to be emerging, at least in Inverness, of an organisation driven by results and more interested in catching illegal workers than operating hand-in-hand with employers to address the issue. Yet an approach which won the support of firms and kept them updated of the latest developments and methods used by offenders would surely be more effective in the long run.

By all means then come down heavily on those companies that continue to transgress.

While Highland businesses might think themselves less likely to encounter the problem, they are wrong. Two of our leading industry sectors — food and drink and hospitality — offer precisely the kind of low skilled employment sought by illegal workers. Our firms are right in the front line and should learn from the unfortunate experiences of Mr Ali and Mr Fung.

The Border Agency insists it is happy to hear from any company unsure of the legitimacy of documents and employers ought to take advantage of the offer. If in doubt, check. The alternative could be very expensive.