The Employment and Training Corporation found 1,797 cases of illegal employment between January and October this year during 3,077 inspections.

The corporation said the cases ranged from undeclared employment, working while registering, employment of minors, and foreigners found working without a valid work permit.

It said that 148 persons registering as unemployed were found to be at work, and were subsequently struck off the unemployment register,. They will also be taken to court.

Persons who are found working while registering at the same time will need to be regularly employed for at least six continuous months in order to be able to re-register as unemployed. These persons have the right to appeal their case with the National Employment Authority.

The ETC said that out of 22 cases heard and decided by the Authority this year, three were upheld in favour of the appellant.

Other infringements found by the ETC inspectors this year included 14 minors found to be in employment, 1,049 persons who were in undeclared full-time work, and 272 persons who were in undeclared part-time work.

307 foreigners were found in undeclared work, of whom 165 came from countries outside the European Union. Thirty inspections were conducted with the Immigration Police, where the foreigners found working without valid work permits were arrested and deported, and their employer arraigned in court.

The ETC said it wanted to remind employers that the Employment and Training Services Act obliges all employers to submit the engagement forms of their employees "not later than the first day of work".

Abuses can be reported on 8007 6501.