Croydon businesses fined £300,000 for employing illegal workers

A total of £300,000 in fines has been levied against five businesses and one individual in Croydon and Thornton Heath for employing workers who did not have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The penalties were announced as part of a national effort to combat illegal employment.

Individual and Business Penalties

Hamed Shahabuddin, who is associated with market stalls at Pitches 61, 62, and 63 on Surrey Street Market, received the largest individual penalty, amounting to £80,000. Ayana Investments Ltd, operating as Sam’s Chicken at 48 High Street, was fined £40,000. Burger London Ltd, located at 46 Nova Road, faces a penalty of £45,000. Green Bistro Ltd, based at Coombe Wood in Conduit Lane, was issued a £55,000 fine. Additionally, MS Darbar Hyderabadi Ltd, associated with the establishment at 106 Bensham Lane in Thornton Heath, was fined £40,000.

Government Enforcement Measures

These financial sanctions are part of the government's wider strategy to enforce immigration laws and penalise employers who do not conduct proper right-to-work checks on their staff. Employers found to be hiring individuals without the legal permission to work in the UK can face significant civil penalties for each illegal worker. The Home Office has the authority to publicly name businesses liable for these penalties as a deterrent to others.

The consequences for employers can be more severe if they knowingly hire individuals without the right to work or have reasonable grounds to suspect this is the case. In such instances, employers could face up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine, as reported by the Croydon Guardian.