On Friday, 15 February Immigration officials conducted checks at three Red Bay establishments (Sail Inn, Weigh Inn and Game On). This followed many weeks of communications with these businesses (formerly known as Dog House, Brick House and Brew House).

During last week’s visit, Enforcement Officers discovered that seven foreign nationals were working illegally. These persons, who wore uniforms identifying them as staff of the establishments, were taken into custody and transported to Immigration Headquarters, where they were interviewed and processed.

Officers found irregular operations during a visit to the facilities last December and instructed the owner/operator to rectify them. They also advised management on the legal processes required for employees to continue employment under a new business license.

Instructions provided verbally and in writing identified all workers who required work permits. They also advised the new company to cease employment until all permits were properly filed and granted.

Subsequent to these instructions, follow-up visits were conducted by officers to verify compliance.

Investigations are on-going into this matter.

On a general note, officials take this opportunity to remind employers that no potential employee should begin working until each work permit has been approved by the authorities.

Employers who contravene any Immigration Law requirement put themselves and employees at risk of being sanctioned by the department and the courts system.