MEP Simon Busuttil has tabled a set of 30 amendments to a new European law intended to combat the illegal employment of immigrants.

The law is set to introduce tougher penalties for employers who recruit irregular immigrants who do not have a right to work in the EU. Dr Busuttil is the main negotiator of the EPP-ED group on this law.

Dr Busuttil said that while there was likely to be wide consensus on this law in the European Parliament, certain changes to the proposal were necessary to keep it focused on its real objective of combating illegal work.

The issue which is causing most controversy is the European Commission’s proposal that, in certain cases, immigrants who have been employed illegally would be able to benefit from a temporary residence permit rather than be repatriated immediately.

The Commission proposal is backed by the Socialist MEPs but opposed by the EPP-ED group. "Illegal work cannot be rewarded with residence permits. Otherwise we risk opening up a window for regularising irregular immigration instead of deterring it." Dr Busuttil said.

The law envisages tough sanctions for employers who employ immigrants illegally, including fines, disqualification from public tenders and the recovery of EU funds. In the most serious cases criminal penalties would also be imposed.

Illegal work is often concentrated in the construction, agriculture, cleaning and the hotel and catering sectors.