Launch of government campaign on illegal working

A government advertising campaign aimed at raising awareness of the penalties for employing illegal workers will be launched on 14 January 2008.

The three-week radio and press campaign aims to remind businesses that employing illegal workers could land them with fines of up to £10,000 for every illegal worker they hire, or up to two years in prison. Employers could also lose the right to recruit from outside the European Union.

The new rules are due to come into effect in February and include the introduction of ongoing responsibility for employers to check the status of migrant workers with time-limited status.

The new rules do not significantly alter employers' responsibilities - you are already required to check your prospective employees' right to work in the UK. However, it does increase the penalties for not fulfilling this requirement and makes it harder for employers to avoid prosecution.

Unsure of the rules?

If you are unsure of what steps to take to ensure you meet your responsibilities under the new requirements visit www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk or call the Border and Immigration Employers Helpline on 0845 010 6677.