The proposed scheme would therefore tackle this problem by allowing employers to check the identity of prospective employees and ensuring their right to work.
However most illegal immigrants currently work in what is known as the Black Economy where it is cash in hand and no questions asked. Such employers as the gangmasters that employ cockle-pickers are unlikely to demand to see identity cards. They probably prefer to employ illegal immigrants anyway as they will work for less than minimum wage and in far worse conditions.
In addition how are employers going to check people's identity? They will not have access to the National Identity Register and are unlikely to have the facility to perform a biometric scan. All an employer will have to go on is the physical card and they will have to trust that it is a genuine card issued by the government.
Even if this proposal works to some extent and illegal working is prevented the illegal immigrants will have no choice but to turn to crime to survive.
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