Laundry director disqualified for employing illegal workers

The director of a laundry business has been disqualified for six years for allowing his company to employ illegal workers.

Mr Montaz Ali Azad ran Eurolinen UK Ltd, which traded as an industrial laundry in Greater Manchester. He was disqualified following an investigation by the Insolvency Service.

Investigators found that he failed to ensure that Eurolinen complied with its statutory obligations under immigration laws, resulting in the employment of 3 illegal workers. This breach was discovered following a visit from immigration officers and resulted in a civil penalty of £15,000 being issued by the Home Office.

The disqualification bans Mr Azad from being a company director and from being involved in the management of a limited company in any way for six years.

Eurolinen UK Ltd went into liquidation on 18 September 2014 owing £105,367 to creditors.

Robert Clarke, Group Leader, Insolvent Investigations North, said: “The Insolvency Service rigorously pursues directors who break employment and immigration laws. Taking on staff illegally means those staff do not enjoy basic employment rights and is a clear breach of a director’s duties.

“Running a limited company means you have statutory obligations as well as protections, and this should serve as a warning to other directors tempted to take on illegal staff.”

Please contact Sarah Liddiard if you would like more information about the issues raised in this article or any aspect of company law and business regulation.