Four Aberdeenshire restaurants fined for illegal workers
Four Aberdeenshire restaurants have been fined a total of £28,750 for employing illegal workers.
Porto Rico's in Port Elphinstone received a civil penalty of £10,000, with £8,750 for Porto Rico's in Peterhead and £5,000 each for Massala Garden in Peterculter and Spice Cottage in Oldmeldrum.
They failed to prove the correct checks were made before taking workers on.
The UK Border Agency said others who break the law would also be fined.
Chief executive Rob Whiteman said: "Our officers are carrying out operations throughout Aberdeenshire to target unscrupulous employers who hire illegal workers, are undercutting wages and potentially exploiting vulnerable workers.
"The UK Border Agency is happy to work with businesses and advise what checks need to be carried out on staff, but those who do break the law should know that they will face heavy fines like these businesses."