COMPANY directors could be struck off and their firm’s assets seized if they are caught employing illegal workers, under proposals being drawn up by the home secretary.
John Reid’s measures are designed to tackle the estimated 570,000 illegal immigrants, many of whom are believed to work in the construction industry, the rag trade, in pubs or as cockle and fruit pickers.
However, Reid’s plans will cover any company that is caught employing illicit entrants, and the effects may also be felt by large firms such as the supermarket chains.
Under the proposed new laws being discussed by the Home Office, there will be a “two strikes and you’re out” rule, under which the board of a company could potentially be dismissed if two or more breaches of the law are discovered.
The new laws would also allow police to seize the assets or profits of a company that are proved to have been made through work carried out by illegal workers. The rules would also apply if illegal workers were employed by any sub-contractors used by the firm.
Reid plans a big increase in fines for businesses that break the law. His proposals are designed to counter Tory criticism by taking a hard line on illegal immigration.
Reid’s plans have raised concern at the Department for Trade and Industry that the powers are too draconian, and the Confederation of British Industry says they place too much of a burden on businesses.
Officials are still working out how far prosecutors would have to go in establishing whether companies knowingly employed illegal immigrants who might have fake documents.
Ministers admit their estimate of 570,000 illegal immigrants is uncertain. The pressure group Migration Watch claims it could be up to 1.5m.
Reid faced embarrassment when it emerged, a few weeks into his new role, that illegal immigrants from Nigeria were working as cleaners at the Immigration Directorate in London.
Under other changes to be announced by Reid this week, police are to be given powers to impose control orders on organised gangsters to try to thwart their criminal activity.
Police will be able to apply to High Court judges for civil orders to put suspected drug traffickers, people smugglers and other crime bosses under virtual house arrest.
The orders will ban suspects from travelling to certain areas and subject them to other curbs such as use of bank accounts, telephones and the internet.
Whitehall officials say that the orders, dubbed “superAsbos”, are designed to target individuals suspected by police of involvement in serious crime, but where there is not enough evidence to prosecute them. The idea has the backing of Tony Blair, who floated the plan this year.
The new powers will be given to the Serious Organised Crime Agency set up earlier this year.
- Muggings have risen for the first time in four years after the government removed funding allocated specifically to help police forces fight street robbery. Home Office figures to be released on Thursday are expected to show that robberies rose by 9% last year.
