Illegal immigrant fear for pub doorstaff
Pubs are running a heightened risk of prosecution for hiring illegal doorstaff because thousands of illegal immigrants are likely to hold door supervisor licences.
As a result of a serious loophole in the licence application process, many pubs could be unwittingly employing doorstaff who hold a licence, but don't have the right to work in the UK.
The news comes as new fines of up to £10,000 per employee for "negligently" hiring illegal workers are due to be implemented.
The Home Office said 6,653 of the 40,000 non-European nationals who hold any kind of Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence do not have permission to work in the UK.
It's an appalling error that someone has made - and someone has to hold their hands upPeter CoulsonMA legal editor
A further 4,447 were described as "questionable and requiring further research".
SIA spokesman Robert Buxton said the number who hold doorstaff licences is not yet known.
But the figure is likely to be in the thousands as 40% of SIA licences are for doorstaff, although Buxton said many may have the right to work, but their details had not been logged.
Right to work in UK
Illegal immigrants have been able to obtain SIA licences because the application form does not ask about the right to work in the UK.
Buxton said that since July 2007, checks have been carried out to ensure all new applicants have the right to work. Checks on current SIA licence holders have also taken place since then.
But Buxton urged vigilance: "We are trying to get people to check our register of licence holders more regularly, rather than just check the physical licence."
The Home Office said the SIA has written to everyone in its database who is not registered as having the right to work in the UK.
If they can't prove their right to work within 21 days, the agency "will move to revoke their licences".
MA legal editor Peter Coulson said: "It's an appalling error that someone has made - and someone has to hold their hands up."
BII chief executive John McNamara advised licensees to ensure contracts with doorstaff agencies state that checks have been carried out on the supervisor's right to work.
