UK Immigration Issues Affecting The Hotel And Leisure Sector

1. Compliance - UK Border Agency (UKBA) targeted checks

Latest UK Border Agency figures (please click here) which name employers who have breached illegal working legislation makes sobering reading for anyone in the Hotel and Catering industries. Over 50% of those fined in London and the South East in the period to 31 March 2009 have been Hotels or Restaurants and the fines imposed have been at least £5,000 per illegal employee. One employer was fined £52,500 for employing 7 illegal workers.

Clearly there is non-compliance in the sector, however, it also demonstrates targeted checks by the UKBA. Therefore any employer in this sector should expect regular audits by the UKBA and must ensure absolute compliance.