Fines given out for employing illegal workers
Four shop owners were fined a combined £45,000 after being found to be using illegal workers.
Immigration enforcement officials made the discoveries when visiting Chunky Chick-Inn in Smethwick, Perton Wines and Spirits, in Perton, and Galley Grill and Madni Store, in Lye.
The inspection visits were made between October 5 last year and January 11.
Perton Wines and Spirits no longer operates while Madni and Chunky Chick-Inn have since been taken over by new owners.
The Express & Star was unable to get in contact with the owner of Galley Grill, which is now home to a business called Bay of Bengal.
The fines were listed in a publication from Immigration Enforcement called Illegal civil penalties Midlands and East of England.
They were for January 1 to March 31, but it was only published last month.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “Employers should remember to carry out simple ‘right to work’ checks before they employ staff.
“It is vital that businesses comply with the law, otherwise they leave themselves open to a heavy financial penalty.
“Illegal working undercuts honest employers, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities and defrauds the public purse.”
Chunky Chick-Inn (Birmingham Takeaway Limited) is based in Cape Hill, Smethwick.
It was visited on November 16 and a £10,000 fine was given on January 16 for one illegal worker found on the premises.
Galley Grill and Madni Store, both based on High Street in Lye, were visited on October 5 and November 8.
One illegal worker was found at each store, and a £10,000 fine was given in regards to the offence at Galley Grill on November 7 and at Madni Store on December 21.
Perton Wines and Spirits Limited, in Anders Square, Perton, was visited on January 11, and a fine of £15,000 was imposed for one illegal worker.
Ownership of Madni Store changed following the fine, with former worker Asif Riaz taking over.
He said: “The people who owned the place then have now left.
“There are three people who work. They are all legal workers. Things here have changed now.”
A company called Smokey Chicken Ltd took over Chunky Chick-Inn in June, according to the shop's manager.
He said he knew 'nothing' about the fine.
Perton Wines and Sports Limited no longer operates.
The Wine Stop is now based in the same shop.
Its owner Paz Singh began running the shop in April. He said: “We have no illegal workers at the store.”
