A Croxley Green business has been fined £15,000 for employing an illegal worker.
Shamma Dry Cleaners, at 200A Watford Road, received the penalty after an Immigration Enforcement inspection on July 18, 2023, discovered an employee who had no right to work or live in the UK.
The man, who was of Indian descent, had overstayed the period he was allowed to stay in the country, the Home Office said. He was then arrested and dealt with according to Immigration Rules.
In addition to the fine, the dry cleaners' licence will be reviewed in the future.
A Shamma Dry Cleaners spokesperson said: “We are regretful that this situation has occurred and we have offered our full cooperation to the authorities. We have always treated our employees and contractors fairly by paying them above the London living wage, allowing them to support themselves and their families.
“We will do our due diligence with future employees to ensure that this does not happen again."
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They added: “Furthermore, we are disappointed that the Watford Observer has chosen to amplify pressure on our business at a time when local businesses are already struggling.
“We have been here for over 30 years serving the local community and intend to be here for many more years to come. We hope that our loyal customers will continue to support us.”
A Home Office spokesperson said: "Illegal working causes untold harm to our communities, cheating honest workers out of employment, putting vulnerable people at risk, and defrauding the public purse.
“Illegal working visits are up by more than 68% on last year and arrests have more than doubled, with more people arrested in 2023 than during the whole of 2022 because of this activity. We are also removing those with no right to be in the UK.”
Shamma Dry Cleaners was one of 48 businesses across the East of England and Midlands fined by the government for similar offences between July 1 and September 30 2023, according to a list updated on February 16.
Immigration enforcement found 221 illegal workers across the two regions in the same period and handed out £2,450,000 in fines to employers.
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