Businesses offered online advice on employing migrants

The Home Office has flagged up a website designed to help employers stay on the right side of the law when employing migrants.

The move comes ahead of implementation of new laws on employing illegal workers, which will see managers found to be using such workers knowingly facing a two-year jail term and unlimited fine.

The website, which can be found at www.businesslink.gov.uk/whatsnew by clicking on the "Employing Migrant Workers" window, offers targeted information and guidance including a 'Step by Step' guide.

The site also contains advice about new EU members Romania and Bulgaria, a series of Frequently Asked Questions and a set of case studies covering a range of different sectors. 

The hospitality sector is represented by Conran Restaurants, which mistakenly employed illegal immigrants in 2003 after being duped with fake passports.

Holly Lowes-Bond, human resources manager at Conran, said: “The hospitality industry faces severe shortfalls in the skills available within the labour market and we welcome all applicants who will work alongside us in reaching our goals. 

“This has led us to develop an equal opportunities ethos supported by an investment to train both the operational and human resources teams in maintaining the standards required.

“Over the past two years, my personal knowledge and that of my team has grown dramatically, through taking a positive approach with the Home Office and police and making the most of all opportunities to develop our skills further."

• In unrelated news, Conran Restaurants will unveil a new name tomorrow (see Caterer for details).

Catering managers face imprisonment for employing illegal immigrants >>

Employing immigrants >>

Whose job is it to spot the illegal immigrants? >>

Hospitality businesses could face £2,000 for employing illegal staff >>

Raid on Conran restaurant found illegal workers >> 

By Daniel Thomas

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