{"id":20534,"date":"2015-10-15T15:17:18","date_gmt":"2015-10-15T15:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/?p=20534"},"modified":"2015-10-15T15:17:18","modified_gmt":"2015-10-15T15:17:18","slug":"campaign-crackdown-illegal-construction-workers-launched","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pbctoday.co.uk\/news\/hr-skills-news\/campaign-crackdown-illegal-construction-workers-launched\/20534\/","title":{"rendered":"Campaign to crackdown on illegal construction workers launched"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Home Office campaign to reduce the number of people working illegally in the construction industry is now underway\u2026<\/span><\/h2>\n

The government has been working to root out illegal workers across the country. Yesterday, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire<\/span><\/a> revealed a new campaign to tackle illegal workers in the construction industry was set to start.<\/p>\n

Under Operation Magnify, Home Office<\/span><\/a> enforcement officers will investigate businesses to bring an end to illegal workers.<\/p>\n

Brokenshire said: \u201cComing together with key employers and influencers in the construction industry is a chance for us to engage with those who are keen to maintain the integrity of the sector.<\/p>\n

\u201cIllegal working undermines legitimate employers, harms the reputation of the industry, drives down wages and denies employment to hard-working UK citizens and people who are working in the UK legally.<\/p>\n

\u201cEmployers within the construction industry have a critical role to play in helping to combat this by ensuring they carry out the straightforward \u2018Right to Work\u2019 checks on potential employees that prevent illegal working in the UK.\u201d<\/p>\n

The meeting with construction industry leaders gave those directly involved the chance to share their own experiences of illegal migrant workers, to find out what measures are in place to combat the issue, and to try to find a resolution to the growing problem.<\/p>\n

Head of Policy and Research Gillian Econopouly was at the meeting on behalf of the Construction Industry Training Board<\/span><\/a> (CITB). She pointed out the impact of illegal work on health and safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cWorkers without the correct health and safety qualifications pose a serious safety issue to those on site, and the general public,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have found cases where illegal workers have used fake health and safety documents to get onsite, and we are working with government to stamp this out in the construction sector.\u201d<\/p>\n

One measure that has already been brought in by the government to ensure workers are legal and safe is Right to Work checks. This is the process all employers must undertake when hiring new workers.<\/p>\n

Other measures include fining businesses. Failure to ensure the legality of workers can result in \u00a320,000 fine per worker employed.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the government is working on new measures that will be included in the Immigration Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament. This will make it easier for employers to be prosecuted and will see prison sentences increase. Illegal workers will also face repercussions and can have their earnings seized as a result.<\/p>\n

Those who work illegally will be charged for committing a criminal offence. They face the prospect of having their earnings seized, as well as being removed from the country.<\/p>\n