Illegal Workers Face EU Crackdown
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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Empty Words, or Does the Government Mean Business This Time?
GUARDIAN UNLIMITED: Everyone who applies for a new job should be required to produce their birth certificate or passport as part of a tough new plan to "flush out" illegal immigrants, the Government said.

Even employers who report a worker they suspect is illegal could be hit with a fine of thousands of pounds under the proposals.

Immigration minister Liam Byrne announced proposals for a new system of civil penalties for firms which employ illegal workers, suggesting they should be fined up to £10,000 to cover the cost of deporting someone from Britain.

Mr Byrne said: "What we are proposing here will, I think, flush illegal migrants out.

"We are trying to create a much more hostile environment in this country if you are here illegally. Plan to ’flush out’ illegal workers (more)

Mark Alexander