A TAKEAWAY is set to have its licence reviewed after illegal workers were found at the shop, despite owners claiming this is false.
Owners of PFC, Moulsham Street, will have their licence reviewed at a meeting held by Chelmsford City Council on September 5.
The review has been brought by Essex Police who claim illegal workers were employed at the takeaway and also that requried works to the shop’s ventilation system had not been carried out.
The Home Office confirmed that immigration enforcement officers acting on intelligence visited the fast food outlet on June 2.
Immigration checks on staff identified two people from Sri Lanka with no permission to work in the UK.
A 34-year-old man and a 28-year-old woman must report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are dealt with.
The business was served with a referral notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.
Raja Hussain, licence holder at PFC, told the Chelmsford and Mid Essex Times that the people were not currently working at the shop but that one had in the past.
He added that he had paper to prove their entitlement to work and added that the works on the ventilation system had been carried out.
The Times asked for this confirmation but did not receive it before going to print.
The Times also put the owner’s claims to both the Home Office and Chelmsford City Council.
Jack Davis, from Immigration Enforcement, said: “Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, has a negative impact on the wages of lawful workers and allows rogue employers to undercut legitimate businesses.
“Working with the police and licensing authorities enables us to take the action needed against businesses flouting immigration laws.”
A spokeswoman for Chelmsford City Council said, “We cannot comment on an ongoing licence review.
“However, anyone who wishes to make a representation on behalf of PFC can do so at the Licensing Committee hearing on September 5.”
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