The UK government has launched a major crackdown on illegal working, resulting in hundreds of arrests and fines for employers. The raids targeted various routes used by migrants to enter the UK illegally, including crossing the Channel and overstaying visas.
The UK government has launched a major crackdown on illegal working, resulting in hundreds of arrests and fines for employers.
In January, enforcement teams raided 828 premises, including nail bars, car washes, and restaurants, making 609 arrests – a 73% increase on the previous year.
Illegal employment practices refer to actions taken by employers that violate labor laws and regulations.
These can include wage theft, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation against employees who report wrongdoing.
According to the US Department of Labor, over $40 billion is lost annually due to 'wage theft alone'.
Employers may also engage in document abuse, such as requiring employees to sign contracts under duress or using fake work visas.
Recognizing these practices is crucial for protecting workers' rights and maintaining a fair workplace environment.
The raids targeted various routes used by migrants to enter the UK illegally, including crossing the Channel and overstaying visas.
The government has also launched a social media campaign in Vietnam and Albania to discourage people from making the journey to the UK.
Migrant routes refer to the paths taken by individuals or groups of people migrating from one country to another.
These routes can be influenced by various factors, including economic conditions, conflict, and climate change.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there were over 272 million international migrants in 2019.
The top migrant-sending countries are India, Mexico, and China.
Migrant routes often traverse through multiple countries, with some of the most popular routes passing through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
Home Office Minister ‘compassionate’ as Dame Angela Eagle defended the government’s approach, stating that enforcing the law and ensuring those who break it face consequences is essential.
She added that releasing footage of the raids was necessary to send a message about the realities of working illegally.
The government’s immigration bill will be debated in the House of Commons, aiming to introduce new offences and counter-terrorism-style powers to clamp down on people smugglers.
However, Labour ministers have not provided a specific target for when small boat crossings could decrease.
A total of 1,090 civil penalty notices were issued, with employers facing fines of up to £60,000 per worker if found liable.
The government also intends to reduce the number of hotels housing asylum seekers, planning to close nine of the 218 hotels currently in use by the end of March.
Employers who fail to comply with labor laws and regulations may face fines from government agencies.
These penalties can range from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of the offense.
According to the US Department of Labor, employers may be fined for violating minimum wage, overtime, and child labor laws.
In 2020, the average fine per violation was $1,300.
Employers must also pay back wages owed to employees, which can add significant costs.
Fines for repeat offenders or egregious violations can exceed $100,000.
Reform UK leader ‘feeble’ compared with the numbers entering the country, Nigel Farage described the new figures as.
He emphasized that an effective removals deterrent is needed to stop small boat crossings, something he claimed Labour had scrapped.
