Exotic Karahi's Alcohol Licence Revoked Due to Exploitation of Illegal Workers

Strategic Insights -

In a concerning incident, Exotic Sweet Centre Limited, trading as Exotic Karahi in Farnham Road, had its alcohol licence revoked after immigration officers discovered three individuals working without the right to remain in the UK. The investigation found that the workers were paid in food instead of wages, a practice that could be considered modern-day slavery. The business had previously received a £90,000 fine in November for employing two individuals who were not authorized to work in the UK. The Home Office had requested a review of the premises licence, citing the failure to conduct mandatory employment checks to prevent illegal working.

Key Takeaways:

  • The business, Exotic Karahi, had its alcohol licence revoked after allegations of exploiting illegal workers, with three individuals found working without the right to remain in the UK.
  • The workers were paid in food instead of wages, which could be considered a form of modern-day slavery.
  • The business had previously received a £90,000 fine in November for employing two individuals who were not authorized to work in the UK.
  • The Home Office had requested a review of the premises licence due to the failure to conduct mandatory employment checks to prevent illegal working.
  • Approximately 30 per cent of the business's income comes from alcohol sales.
  • Owner Inderpaul Roa claimed that he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and recovering at the time of the raid, but this did not excuse the business's failure to conduct proper employment checks.
  • A manager was hired during this time but was fired following the case.
  • The restaurant will still be able to sell food and soft drinks until 11pm despite the revoked license.
  • Cllr Mohammed Nazir noted that many businesses on Farnham Road do not have a premises licence but are still very profitable.
  • The business was found "not to have learned any lesson" from a previous incident in 2013, when one person was arrested for overstaying a visa.

Statistics:

  • £90,000: The fine received by Exotic Karahi in November for employing two individuals who were not authorized to work in the UK.
  • 30 per cent: The percentage of the business's income that comes from alcohol sales.
  • September 5: The date when immigration officers visited Exotic Karahi and identified three individuals working without the right to remain in the UK.
  • June: The month when the Home Office requested a review of the business's premises licence.
  • July 29: The date of the meeting where the licence was revoked.

Sources:

  • "Exotic on Farnham Road, Slough: Premises licence review" (no publication date)
  • Home Office (no publication date)
  • "Immigration Enforcement" (no publication date)