Four illegal workers found at restaurant near Darlington in immigration probe

Yahoo

2 days ago

A restaurant near Darlington could be stripped of its license after four illegal workers were found by immigration officers.
The Oak Tree, in Middleton-St-George, was slapped with a £90,000 fine earlier this year for employing two people who did not have the right to work.
It followed an immigration visit on December 18 where a total of four illegal workers were identified, one of whom 'tried to run from the kitchen' when officers arrived.
Three of the four did not hold the right to work, while the other was working in breach of conditions.
The Home Office has now applied to strip the Yarm Road restaurant of its license.
The venue, which was taken over by owner Ersim Aydi in June 2024, has still not paid the fine, and bailiffs have now been sent in.
Ms Aydin, who is now due to leave her role, apologised to anyone who she had caused distress, saying it was 'never my intention' and that she 'really, really tried'.
She claimed that two workers have since started the process with the Home Office and are not illegally working, although this has not been confirmed.
Operator Punch Pubs said it takes matters like this 'extremely seriously' and is seeking advice 'to ensure the appropriate action is taken'.
Illegal working and minimum wage concerns
The probe found two of the workers were found to have entered the UK illegally via small boats.
Worker A, who tried to run into the garden when officers arrived, had been working in the kitchen for roughly two weeks, seven hours each day for six days a week.
He was paid £300 in cash per week, which raised concerns as this would equate to £7.14 per hour, more than £4 less than the national minimum wage (£11.44 at the time).
The premises licence review report said low wages appeared to be supplemented by free food and accommodation.
The Oak Tree
Ms Aydin told officers she was 'aware that he was not allowed to work in the UK' and Worker A said right to work checks had not been conducted.
Worker B, who was found making bread in the kitchen, 'attempted to walk away" when officers arrived and "consistently denied working'.
He claimed he arrived at the restaurant the day before to see a friend and have tea - but the manager said he was on a work trial with a view to hiring him.
He was found working in breach of his work restrictions, as his claim for protection was refused. An appeal is ongoing.
Worker C, who was seen answering the phone and serving a table, confirmed she had been working there for around three weeks.
She claimed she did not have scheduled shifts, and is asked to work during busy periods. She said she was not paid and gets free food and accommodation.
She said her employer helped her with 'the papers' and that she was aware of her not holding the right to work.
Worker C was allowed entry to the UK in September 2024 as a visitor and has never held the right to work in the UK.
Worker D, who was seen leaving one of the rooms above the restaurant, claimed he first came ten days ago for an interview.
He said he is a chef and a baker but does not work there, claiming he left his passport in London. Officers found it in his bedroom, alongside a fake passport.
His last valid leave expired in March 2023, and there were no outstanding applications at the time, meaning he had no right to work.
Ms Aydin, who employs the staff, told officers: 'I don't normally ask for ID, I do ask if they're ok to work and nine out of ten I go with what they say.'
This was branded 'problematic'.
Although one of the workers claimed he did not work there, he was considered a worker at the site as he had an interview ten days before.
'We take matters like this extremely seriously'
In response, Ms Aydin said: 'To Darlington Council, the brewery, the community: I am so sorry if I've ever caused distress. That was never my intention. I tried to belong.
'I took over a pub not to take anything away but to build something for everyone. If I failed, then I carry that failure with pain. Because I tried. I really, really tried.
'I gave all of myself to the pub and the people in it. I never treated anyone like an employee or a customer - I treated them like family. Like human beings.
'I gave everything I could, whether it was time, support, a meal, a kind word. I just wanted people to feel like they mattered.
'To everyone who supported me, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
A Punch Pubs & Co spokesperson: 'The Oak Tree Inn forms a part of our Leased and Tenanted estate. It is operated under the terms of a tenancy agreement, meaning the Publican runs their own pub business with complete autonomy.
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They are responsible for the day-to-day operation, including upholding the licensing objectives. That said, we take matters like this extremely seriously.
'We have been made aware of the application for a premises license review and are currently seeking advice to ensure the appropriate action is taken.
'The Oak Tree pub is an important part of the Punch estate, and we will do everything we can to protect its long-term future.'