A CAR wash in Runcorn has been fined £15,000 for the use of illegal workers.

Top Star Car Wash, off Halton Road, has fallen foul of HM Revenue and Customs after it was found to have been employing individuals who did not have the right to work in the UK.

Companies based in the UK must ensure that employees have the right to work in this country, and if they do not then they are liable to fines from HMRC - akin to the fine Top Star Car Wash has been given.

The £15,000 fine relates to the period between January 1 and March 31 this year.

As per HMRC, the individual liable to pay this fine is Mariwan Ramazani.

Mr Ramazani, 33, is the director of Top Star Car Wash, and also Gorton Car Wash based in Manchester.

According to the Government, there can be severe penalties for employing individuals who do not have the right to work in the UK.

Gov.uk says: "You can be sent to jail for five years and pay an unlimited fine if you’re found guilty of employing someone who you knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the UK."

This includes, for example, if you had any reason to believe that:

  • They did not have leave (permission) to enter or remain in the UK
  • Their leave had expired
  • They were not allowed to do certain types of work
  • Their papers were incorrect or false