Coventry travel agent faces £40,000 fine over suspected illegal workers

[dutchman]

Immigration officers found two Bangladeshi men had overstayed their visas



Two people have been arrested and detained in a raid by immigration officers at a travel agents in Coventry.

Officers swooped on Mahdi Travels in King Edward Road, Hillfields, on Tuesday and found two men who had overstayed their visas.

Immigration checks on staff found that two Bangladeshi men, aged 34 and 25, had overstayed their visas and they were both arrested.

The 25-year-old has been detained while action is taken on his case, and the 34-year-old must report to Immigration Enforcement while his case is progressed.

Carol Scarr, from West Midlands Immigration Enforcement, said: “Employers should remember that failing to carry out the correct ‘right to work’ checks on staff can potentially lead to a heavy financial penalty.

“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime; it cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and means legitimate job seekers are denied employment opportunities.

“I would urge those with detailed and specific information about immigration abuse to get in touch.”

Mahdi Travels has been served with a warning that a fine of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found to be employed there will be imposed - unless the business can show the appropriate right to work checks were carried out.

This can include seeing a passport, or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

[rebbonk]