UK UNVEILS IMMIGRATION LAWS
British employers could be fined $3,658 every time
they hire an illegal worker under government proposals
unveiled Wednesday.
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Bill --
intended to crack down on abuses of the system -- also
includes plans to fingerprint all visa applicants from
2008.
Appeals from people applying for
work and study visas from outside
Britain
would also be prevented.
Ministers want a points system
for economic migrants that would grant visas on the
basis of skills, but the details will be put out for
consultation later in the summer.
The scheme does not require a law
change so is not included in the bill.
An independent advisory board
would identify gaps in the workforce, and visa
applicants would gain extra points for skills in those
areas.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke
said: "The route to settlement is through skilled
labor.
"This means that the more
skilled you are, the more likely you are to be able to
stay."
Skilled workers who support
themselves financially will be granted permanent
residence after five years, provided they prove their
ability to use English fluently.
In opinion polls before May`s
general election, Labor consistently scored lower than
the Conservatives on immigration and asylum. |
