Employee found without UK work permit

10 May 2011 | Posted by Carl Thomas

An employee has been discovered in Northern Ireland working without the correct UK work permit.

Immigration officials from the UK Border Agency discovered the 28-year-old working in the Curry Bazaar takeaway in Bangor Co. Down.

The discovery came as part of a nationwide effort to tackle UK immigration crimes.

A fine of up to £10,000 could be issued to the takeaway if it is revealed that they failed to conduct the necessary checks on their employee's UK work permit documentation.

The Bangladeshi man, meanwhile, was arrested for overstaying his visa and working illegally. He was detained overnight in Bangor police station and steps are being taken to remove him from the UK.

Mike Golden, assistant director of the UKBA in Northern Ireland, commented: "This is the latest in a series of operations we've carried out to tackle immigration crime in Northern Ireland, and more are planned.

"Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. Businesses which operate outside the law should be warned that they will be found and they will be punished."

Last month, UK immigration officials found seven workers employed illegally in the town of Torbay.

The individuals were working in a care home, a shop and a restaurant in the town and had either overstayed the UK visas or were in breach of the conditions on their student visas.