Another day, more restaurants in Cornwall raided by UKBA. Why is it that the food industry is such a magnet for illegal workers?
Come to think of it, how often do you actually see a white Brit working in a takeout lately, at least compared to other ethnic groups?
UKBA carried out simultaneous raids on Spice Cottage, Camborne, and Cafe Spice, Redruth in search of illegal workers.
Two Bangladeshi men were arrested at Spice Cottage - One member of staff had entered the UK illegally, another had stayed on after his visa had expired.
The raid on Cafe Spice turned up another Bangladeshi man, working illegally in the kitchen. Another Bangladeshi who was in the UK illegally was found in accommodation above the restaurant.
All but one have been transferred to immigration detention to await deportation.
The Bangladeshi man found working illegally in the kitchen at Cafe Spice was bailed whilst an immigration application is dealt with.
Both businesses now face big fines, although it seems that these fines aren't much of a deterrent considering how we see almost every day illegal workers being detained at restaurants and takeouts.
Until we do impose sufficient deterrent, and quite possibly move from civil penalties to criminal penalties, illegal workers will continued to be employed not just within the food industry but within all industries.
It's obvious from the number of employers willing to chance it that the current system is not working, and that far too many jobs are going to illegal workers.
Another day, more restaurants in Cornwall raided by UKBA. Why is it that the food industry is such a magnet for illegal workers?
