Illegal employment is a significant issue in the UK, often overlooked. Valued at around £180 billion, this sector thrives on unscrupulous employers taking advantage of undocumented workers, resulting in suppressed wages across various industries and evasion of taxes that law-abiding citizens must pay.
The flaws in the current system, which relies on paper-based checks that are inconsistent and easily falsified, allow for exploitation. Landlords, employers, and financial institutions are responsible for confirming individuals’ legal status, but the complexity of the regulations leads to widespread errors.
Exploiting these loopholes are criminal organizations that sell counterfeit passports for £12,500 each to individuals seeking to circumvent the legal framework. Consequently, the number of arrests related to illegal employment surged by 51% in the previous year.
The introduction of a Digital ID system is seen as the solution to curbing this illicit activity. By implementing Digital ID effectively, not only will it help identify illicit employers, but it will also eliminate the demand for their services. This system ensures real-time verification of individuals’ eligibility to work, rent properties, and conduct banking activities, eliminating the need for forged documents or illicit shortcuts.
With Digital ID in place, the existing loopholes in the system will be eradicated, causing the collapse of the illicit employment business model. This move aims to target unscrupulous employers who perpetuate illegal living conditions and contribute to unlawful immigration practices.
By transitioning to Digital ID, the UK can transition from outdated enforcement methods to a more intelligent and proactive approach. This shift allows authorities to tackle the most egregious offenders swiftly while enabling law-abiding businesses to operate without interference.
Many other nations have successfully adopted Digital ID systems to combat illegal activities. Estonia’s integration of digital IDs with payroll and taxation significantly reduced undeclared work, while India’s Aadhaar system provided secure access to services for over a billion people. In contrast, the UK lags behind in adopting modern digital identification technologies.
While some critics argue that e-visas suffice, they are merely a temporary solution to a persistent problem. E-visas are an add-on to an outdated paper-based system, answering one question about an individual’s residency status but failing to address the underlying vulnerabilities.
Unlike e-visas, Digital ID is a comprehensive, secure, and instantaneous solution that links immigration status directly to daily transactions, effectively preventing illegal work practices. This approach goes beyond border control, aiming to eradicate illicit employment opportunities.
The ultimate goal of implementing Digital ID is to reduce illegal employment, elevate wages, and create a fair playing field for all individuals who abide by the rules. While rogue employers may still exist, Digital ID will limit their ability to exploit vulnerable individuals.
With the government’s backing of Digital ID, the focus now shifts to successful implementation to disrupt the underground economy and foster a more equitable and resilient society.