Employing Migrant Workers - Make sure youíre legal!

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is adding its weight behind a Home Office resource designed for employers and HR directors which has just been updated and relaunched.

The Home Office online toolkit has been developed to ensure businesses stay within the law when employing migrant workers. The Home Office says that appointing illegal workers could now cost employers thousands of pounds, lead to prosecution and being publicly named and shamed.

Many sectors make extensive use of workers from other countries and this improved version of the toolkit has been designed to provide support and advice to ensure companies employ such people legally and that individuals are not exploited.

The toolkit will be invaluable to any employers seriously thinking of recruiting workers from overseas who want to make certain they are staying within the law. This is particularly important as new laws later this year with enforce the civil penalties for employers recruiting illegal migrants. It is the responsibility now of the employers to ensure they comply with the law. Those found to be using or exploiting such workers knowingly will face a two year jail term and unlimited fine.

The website http://www.employingmigrantworkers.org.uk/index.html also offers
targeted information and guidance - including a íStep by Stepí guide - to help them do this.

Other features include advice about Romania and Bulgaria, a series of Frequently Asked Questions, and a set of good practice Case Studies covering a range of different sectors.

Liam Byrne, Home Office Minister, says in his welcome on the site: Legal migrants from around the world make a substantial contribution to our society, both in terms of wealth creation and in the delivery of frontline services.

ìIllegal working undermines the National Minimum Wage and allows unscrupulous employers to gain an unfair competitive advantage over legitimate businesses. For the illegal workers themselves, it often leads to exploitation and poor health and safety. In the worst cases, it involves people putting their lives at risk.

The REC, a partner of the site, has promoted its use through its Legal Reference Guide.

Marcia Roberts, the RECís Chief Executive Officer, said: ìAs the representative body for the UK recruitment industry, the REC is committed to continuously raising standards of practice and to working with members to promote awareness and address illegal working issues.

ìWe welcome the relaunch of this toolkit which we will continue to recommend to our members as an excellent reference point to help their clients understand the complexities of legislation governing this crucial area of employment.î