An EU Framework on Sanctions against Employers of Irregular Immigrants: Some Reflections on the Scope, Features and Added Values. CEPS Policy Brief No. 140, 1 August 2007

Carrera, Sergio, and Guild, Elspeth. (2007) An EU Framework on Sanctions against Employers of Irregular Immigrants: Some Reflections on the Scope, Features and Added Values. CEPS Policy Brief No. 140, 1 August 2007.

Abstract

[From the Introduction]. On 16 May 2007, the European Commission issued a Proposal for a Council Directive providing for sanctions against employers of illegally staying third country nationals (COM(2007) 249.1) The measure aims at providing a harmonised EU framework for imposing sanctions on employers for hiring third country nationals (TCNs) who do not enjoy a regular status of stay in the EU. The proposal would establish a common policy consisting of three main features. First, employers would be subject to a number of new administrative obligations that would need to be fulfilled before recruiting any TCNs. Noncompliance would lead to a series of punitive measures, financial sanctions and criminal penalties. Second, the procedure for operationalising complaints would be harmonised; and third, each member state would be required to inspect the employee records in 10% of its registered companies.