BBC: Euro MPs have backed tough new rules aimed at preventing employers from hiring illegal workers, but a final vote will be held later this month.
Employers who break the rules could be forced to pay fines, make up wage shortfalls, or face a ban for up to five years from public contracts.
The "sanctions directive" already has the backing of the European Commission and EU member states' governments.
The UK is opting out, doubting the EU's authority to impose criminal sanctions.
Up to eight million non-EU illegal migrants are thought to work in the EU. Figures provided by 21 member states suggest a total of 893,000 to 923,000 illegal immigrants entering the EU each year.
The new rules, steered through the European Parliament by Italian Socialist MEP Claudio Fava, are set to take effect in 2011. >>> | Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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