Pay up for employing illegal immigrants in UK

LONDON: Britain will no longer be a welcome country for illegal immigrants.

As per directives issued by the British government, businesses would have to cough up a fine of upto 10,000 pounds for every illegal immigrant they are caught employing, the 'Daily Mail' reported on Friday.

Even families who have a nanny will potentially be liable for a fine as they're technically an employer.

"All firms must carry out proper checks on new employees to ensure they are legally resident in the United Kingdom," British Immigration Minister Liam Byrne was quoted by the daily as saying.

But, in doing so, the firms must ensure they do not flout the Race Relations Act, they must treat all applicants the same, which means British workers must be made to prove they are not an illegal immigrant by producing a passport, according to the directives.

"We recommend that employers obtain a statutory excuse for all potential employees. This not only protects the employer from liability for a civil penalty, but also demonstrates consistent, transparent and non-discriminatory recruitment practices," the papers said.

Moreover, employers will also risk punishment if they ask job applicants to speak fluent English.

Under a section headed 'indirect discrimination', the papers said, "It would be discriminatory to ask for a very high standard of English when the job does not require this, or to reject an applicant who has an unfamiliar accent."