Illegal workers found in restaurant swoop

12:52pm Thursday 4th December 2008

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IMMIGRATION officers who swooped on a Winchester restaurant found six illegal workers on the premises.

Officers surrounded Balaka, in Stoney Lane, Weeke, at 5.40pm last Saturday, to prevent anyone escaping.

They then spent around three hours checking workers’ identity documents.

Six Bangladeshi employees were found to be working in the country illegally. They were placed on immigration bail and procedures have been put in place to remove all six from the country.

One woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she visited the Indian restaurant at around 8pm and said there were immigration officers “all over the place”.

A UK Border Agency official opened the restaurant door to her and said she would “not be getting a curry tonight or anytime in the near future, we’ve taken away half the kitchen”.

Staff in neighbouring businesses said they hadn’t witnessed the raid, but had seen the restaurant’s employees being interviewed through the front window.

The restaurant reopened at around 9pm. A notice has since been placed in its front window offering jobs to delivery drivers, waiters and waitresses.

Hugh Ind, of the UK Border Agency, said: “These arrests send a clear message to businesses in Winchester; we will not tolerate illegal working in Hampshire.

“I am happy and willing to work closely with employers so that they understand the rules.

“However, if you are found to be breaking the law and are employing workers illegally, we will take action and you could face a substantial fine or even a prison sentence.”

A spokeswoman for the agency confirmed the restaurant owner could face a fine of up to £60,000.

Anyone found employing illegal workers can be fined up to £10,000 per employee.

Despite repeated attempts by the Hampshire Chronicle to speak to the restaurant owner, he was unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

Employers unsure of how to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk /employers, or call the UK Border Agency Employers’ Helpline on 0845 010 6677.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.