Compulsory
checks to prevent illegal working
From
29th February 2008, under the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality
Act 2006, employers are required to carry out additional
checks to ensure that new employees can work legally in the UK. These
checks must be made before the employee starts work.
Under
the rules, employers must check certain documents
for every potential new employee. If a
potential employee cannot provide suitable documents (and therefore is unable to
show that he/she has an entitlement to work in the UK), the person must not be employed. An employer who employs someone
who does not have the right to work in the UK will be liable to pay
a penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal worker. In addition, employees who have time-limited entitlements to work in the UK must be
checked every 12 months.
From 27th November 2008 employers must register with the Borders Agency as a licensed sponsor if they want to employ a new skilled worker from outside the EEA or Switzerland. Registration as a sponsor is also required before any existing migrant worker's work permit can be changed, extended or renewed.
Subscribers
to the Members section
will find more details about the rules in the Recruitment
Zone - 
. If
you are not a Member,
have a look at the information about the benefits of membership and how to subscribe - .
More
information
Business Link guidance on employing
migrant workers -
Employers'
Helpline: 0845 010 6677
Border
and Immigration Agency information about employing
immigrant workers -
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