Race equality may force Brits to produce passports for jobs

PassportsLondon, Nov.23: Britons will be treated as potential illegal immigrants when they apply for a job to avoid discriminating against foreign workers.

According to papers released by the Home Office, they will have to produce passports to be considered for a job, and employers also face the risk of punishment if they ask job applicants to speak fluent English.

The Government said businesses would in future face on-the-spot fines of up 10,000 pounds for every illegal immigrant they are caught employing.

Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said firms must carry out proper checks on new employees to ensure they are legally resident in the UK.

But documents released alongside the crackdown revealed that, in doing so, firms must ensure they do not flout the Race Relations Act.

According to the Daily Mail, the papers state: "We recommend that employers obtain a statutory excuse for all potential employees. This not only protects the employer from liability for a civil penalty, but also demonstrates consistent, transparent and non- discriminatory recruitment practices."

Families who have a nanny, or sign a contract with a builder for an extension, will potentially be liable for a fine as they are technically an employer.

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis has criticised the move, saying that it reflects the incompetence of the Gordon Brown Government. (ANI)