Lazy Lob
08-17-2006, 02:13 AM
Illegal worker warnings 'ignored'
Reports from employers about possible illegal workers are sometimes being ignored by the Immigration Service, a BBC investigation has found.
Recruitment agencies say that when they pass on concerns about fake papers, the response is often that nothing can be done because of a lack of resources.
They believe the service's priority is to deal with failed asylum seekers.
The Home Office says it is committed to tackling illegal working but has to prioritise its resources.
Suspect documents
Last month, the home secretary asked the public to inform on employers who take on illegal workers.
However, employment agencies told the BBC they felt the Immigration Service was not playing its part.
One agency, which recruits for the care and nursing sector, said that when three people were found to have false documents last year, the Immigration Service asked that they be kept in work so their whereabouts were known.
Five months later the service said it would not be taking action, because of a lack of resources.
Nursing and care agencies feel particularly concerned about this, as they are looking after vulnerable and elderly people.
'Doubling enforcement'
An online survey of 425 recruitment agencies conducted by the recruitment industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation suggested three-quarters of agencies had spotted suspect documents.
But nearly half said the Immigration Service did not take decisive action.
In a statement, the Home Office said it was doubling its enforcement resources over the next three years and was committed to tackling illegal working.
But it said resources and operations always had to be prioritised to maximise the number of people removed and for public protection.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4800537.stm
Published: 2006/08/17 04:10:25 GMT
Reports from employers about possible illegal workers are sometimes being ignored by the Immigration Service, a BBC investigation has found.
Recruitment agencies say that when they pass on concerns about fake papers, the response is often that nothing can be done because of a lack of resources.
They believe the service's priority is to deal with failed asylum seekers.
The Home Office says it is committed to tackling illegal working but has to prioritise its resources.
Suspect documents
Last month, the home secretary asked the public to inform on employers who take on illegal workers.
However, employment agencies told the BBC they felt the Immigration Service was not playing its part.
One agency, which recruits for the care and nursing sector, said that when three people were found to have false documents last year, the Immigration Service asked that they be kept in work so their whereabouts were known.
Five months later the service said it would not be taking action, because of a lack of resources.
Nursing and care agencies feel particularly concerned about this, as they are looking after vulnerable and elderly people.
'Doubling enforcement'
An online survey of 425 recruitment agencies conducted by the recruitment industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation suggested three-quarters of agencies had spotted suspect documents.
But nearly half said the Immigration Service did not take decisive action.
In a statement, the Home Office said it was doubling its enforcement resources over the next three years and was committed to tackling illegal working.
But it said resources and operations always had to be prioritised to maximise the number of people removed and for public protection.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/politics/4800537.stm
Published: 2006/08/17 04:10:25 GMT