Stamford restaurant boss disqualified after employing illegal worker

A restaurant boss who employed an illegal worker has been disqualified as a director for six years after an investigation.

Yuk Kwai Chan, also known as Eddie, employed the worker at Mr Pang’s Chinese restaurant in Cheyne Lane, Stamford. The worker was found during a visit by immigration officers in 2014.

Chan, 57, from Grantham, gave an undertaking to the Insolvency Service not to manage or control a limited company for six years, until 2021. His disqualification will begin on Monday.

Head of company investigations at Anthea Simpson 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.

“The public has a right to expect that those who break the law will face the consequences. 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.”

A Home Office spokesman added: “Illegal working is not victimless. It undercuts honest employers, cheats legitimate job seekers out of employment opportunities and defrauds the taxpayer.

“Businesses should be aware that they have a duty to check that their staff have permission to work in the UK.”

Mr Pang’s is still open for business.