New law 'removes incentive for illegalimmigration'

The European Parliament has adopted a law imposing tough sanctions on employers who provide illegal employment to irregular migrants.

“The prospect of working illegally in Europe is the main force of attraction for would-be illegal immigrants. By attacking illegal employment we are therefore combating illegal immigration.” Maltese MEP Simon Busuttil said.

"Apart from being a pull factor for illegal immigration, illegal employment also distorts labour markets and gives rise to exploitation of migrants. The new law will remove this pull factor by punishing illegal employment with common financial, administrative and even criminal sanctions that will apply throughout Europe," he said.

Dr Busuttil, who was the EPP’s negotiator on this law, said Parliament had been working on it for more than a year and he was very pleased with the result.

“The law sends a clear message to would-be illegal immigrants that Europe is not a free-for-all and risking your life to end up in modern day slavery is just not worth it.” he said. "Equally we are sending the message to employers that illegal employment can no longer be tolerated."

Sanctions include tough fines, payment of unpaid tax and social security as well as the cost of the return of the immigrants concerned.

Administrative penalties include the disqualification from public tenders and the recovery of EU funds and state subsidies. In the most serious cases the law would also provide for criminal sanctions along with the naming and shaming of employers.

Dr Busuttil said he managed a compromise which avoids any obligation to regularise illegal workers and which leaves it up to individual countries to decide whether they want to grant immigrants a temporary residence permit. Both points were pushed by the Socialist group, he said.