The government must do more to ensure that SMEs are fully informed about forthcoming changes to employment law, on industry body has said.
Simon Briault, spokesperson for the Federation of Small Businesses, said that while there was plenty of information available about new regulations aimed at cutting the number of illegal workers, SMEs might not "actually come across it".
Mr Briault explained that he felt that as there were so many sources for government information owners of SMEs might conclude that they "don't have all day to trawl through hundreds of website to find out what my obligations are".
He said because of this the government should make a "special effort" to publicise major changes to employment laws.
Not only would this stop unwary businesses from breaking the law but it would also let SMEs take advantage of regulatory chances that could benefit them.
The new measures to cut the numbers of migrants working illegally come in to force on February 29th.
Under the new laws an employer who knowingly hires an illegal worker could face two years in prison.
