Home Office enforcers find two illegal immigrants at Plumstead shop
By Lachlan Leeming, local democracy reporter
A Plumstead premises could be stripped of its licence after an investigation by immigration authorities earlier this year found two illegal workers employed there.
Greenwich Council’s licensing sub-committee is set to consider imposing new restrictions or cancelling the licence altogether of the Plumstead Road Costcutter, also known as Anish Food and Wine, on Tuesday.
It comes after an enforcement visit by the Home Office earlier this year found two visa over-stayers working at the store – with one locking themselves in a toilet in a bid to avoid detection.
In a report lodged by the Home Office, it is revealed that officers visited the business on January 16 after receiving a tip-off that an illegal worker was employed there.
According to the document, officers conducted a sweep of the business – locating a locked door in the basement leading to a toilet.
When they threatened to force entry, the inhabitant unlocked the door – revealing one of the illegal workers.
Officers established his colleague manning the counter was also working illegally after both had overstayed their visas – with one employed their for about four years and the other 13 months.
In an interview with the Home Office, the latter employee revealed they were paid a weekly wage of just £100 for working six days a week.
He added that sometimes he was allowed to eat food from the store “if the expiry date is soon” – though this didn’t happen “very often”.
His colleague said he was paid £250 for working “a full week” of 30 to 40 hours.
According to council documents, Mr Bakulaben Bharatkumar Patel and Mrs Bharatkumar Jashbhai Patel have held the licence for the store since 2015.
The premises was already known to immigration authorities after two illegal workers were discovered there in 2013.
Although Mr Patel was not the licence holder at the time, the business was still operating under the same name and at the same premise, documents state.
While the Home Office has recommended increased regulations on the business, including that the employer must check employees’ right to work in the UK, local police have advocated harsher measures.
In their submission, Greenwich Police Licensing recommended stripping Mr Patel of the premises licence, stating “it is clear…there is a consistent and flagrant disregard for licensing objectives at the venue”.
Police also stated the employee’s wage of £100 a week was “highly unlikely” to meet minimum wage laws set by the Government, as well as noting it was unlikely that income tax and national insurance was being paid.
Councillors will discuss what action to take on June 9, with the meeting to be held remotely.
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