Businesses in Northern Ireland face illegal working penalties

Two businesses in Northern Ireland are facing penalties for employing illegal workers following operations our officers.
Acting on intelligence, officers visited Imperial City Chinese Buffet, The Quays, Newry, on 20 February 2014 at 17:00 and questioned staff to check whether they had the right to work in the UK.
They arrested 3 Chinese women aged between 25 and 51 and 2 Chinese men aged 44 and 51 who were working illegally, having entered the country illegally.
Officers also arrested a 26-year-old Taiwanese woman who had overstayed her visa.
They have all been transferred to immigration detention pending removal from the UK.
Following the arrests the business closed for the evening.
Last week, on 13 February 2014, officers visited Ming’s Happiness, Chinese takeaway on Carnmoney Road, Newtownabbey at 18:00.
A 45-year-old Chinese man, who had entered the country illegally, was arrested and a 45-year-old Chinese man who was in the country legally, but had no permission to work, was escorted from the premises.
Both businesses will be served notices warning that a civil penalty of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker will be imposed unless proof is provided that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out. This is a potential total of up to £60,000 for the Imperial City Buffet and £20,000 for Ming’s Happiness.