By Erewunmi Peace

The United Kingdom has intensified its campaign against illegal employment, targeting Nigerians and other foreign nationals who work without proper authorization.

The government says this is part of a broader effort to strengthen border security, enforce immigration laws, and crack down on rogue employers exploiting undocumented workers.

According to official UK government reports, over 11,000 inspections of workplaces were conducted in the past year, resulting in more than 8,000 arrests of illegal workers. Over 1,000 foreign nationals have been removed from the country as part of the enforcement measures.

The crackdown spans sectors like food delivery, takeaways, beauty salons, car washes, and other gig economy roles, which authorities say are particularly prone to illegal employment.

Employers face stricter penalties, including heavy fines and potential jail sentences, for knowingly hiring individuals who do not have the legal right to work in the UK. In addition, the Home Office has revoked a record number of visa sponsorship licenses from firms found violating employment and immigration laws.

The UK government has also increased its “right-to-work” checks to cover more job types, aiming to close loopholes previously exploited by both illegal workers and rogue employers.

Public warnings have been issued to migrants that illegal employment can result in detention, deportation, and legal action.

Why It Matters:

This intensified enforcement is part of the UK’s wider strategy to reduce illegal migration, dismantle people-smuggling networks, and ensure that all workers in the country are legally authorized to work.

Nigerians and other migrants are being reminded to secure proper work authorization to avoid falling foul of the law.

Conclusion:

With the UK stepping up its enforcement, both employers and migrants are being urged to comply strictly with immigration and labor laws. The government’s message is clear: illegal work will not be tolerated.