APM advises members to stay vigilant when employing

The Home Office is continuing its work against illegal working through Operation Magnify a UK-wide enforcement and compliance campaign to prevent illegal working in various sectors of the UK economy including in the construction sector. 

Although many construction businesses complete the right to work checks, the Home Office has announced stolen and counterfeit documents are now being used by criminal gangs to enable migrants to work illegally in the UK. 

How can you protect yourself? 

To help with tackling the problem of illegal working, The Home Office are reminding those within the construction sector of guidance available to undertake right to work checks. 

All employers and staff are encouraged you to raise awareness of these issues by sharing the links below with colleagues and your supply chain. 

· The 3 step check poster is available on www.gov.uk 
· Watch our ‘How to make a right to work check’ video on YouTube. 
· Guidance on how to make right to work checks can be found on www.gov.uk 
· Consult our forgery detection guide. 

Anyone with concerns about illegal working or non compliant employers should report this to the Home Office at www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime

The advice comes as new legislation comes into effect making it harder for people to live and work illegally in the UK. 

 The new legislation includes: 

• Imposing tougher penalties and sanctions on rogue employers who exploit illegal migrants for their own gain. 
• Making it a criminal offence to work illegally and seize wages from illegal working and the proceeds of crime. 
•  Prosecuting employers who ‘turn a blind eye’ to employing illegal migrants, and increase custodial sentences. 
• Closing businesses that continue to flout the law through the use of illegal labour