UK introduces tougher laws to tackle ‘illegal workers’
Companies hiring people in the gig economy will now be required to carry out checks confirming that everyone on their payroll is eligible to work in the United Kingdom.
The gig economy is a labour market characterised by short-term contracts and freelance work including construction, food delivery, beauty salons, and courier services.
This is the first time the UK will extend employment checks to these businesses.
“Where businesses fail to carry out these checks, they will face hefty penalties already in place for those hiring illegal workers in traditional roles, including fines of up to £60,000 per worker, business closures, director disqualifications and potential prison sentences of up to 5 years,” the Home Office announced on Sunday.
“Expanding illegal working checks will help level the playing field for the majority of honest companies who do the right thing.”
The Home Office said this will form a critical part of the government’s plan to strengthen the entire immigration system. It added that it would provide the checks, which take “just minutes to complete”, free of charge.
This law follows wider measures within the legislation announced earlier this month to impose tougher restrictions on foreign convicted criminals whose removal the UK said it is pursuing but “presently unable to deport”.
It also comes weeks after the UK hiked visa fees for students, tourists, and skilled foreign workers.
