How Can This Be Fair

[tonyav]

How can this be fair, haulage bosses being fined for illegal immigrants hiding in their lorries.
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2015/07/03/caught-on-video-illegal-immigrants-emerge-from-walsall-lorry-leaving-bosses-with-18k-fine/

[jno]

who would you fine, exactly? A nation is up in arms about the thought of a single migrant coming here, and demands that haulage firms prevent it happening. So that's what they're trying to do. How would you go about it? (Don't ask me, I don't have an alternative solution.)

[tonyav]

The government for cutting back on the border force and expecting haulage companies to do the job for them.

[Prudie]

Tony it is unfair especially as said he could have let them go and no-one would be the wiser but I don't know what the answer is. If authorities don't threaten with fines then hauliers might not make any effort to check their lorries are stowaway free before they cross over.

[vulcan42]

Can the government explain what a driver is supposed to do if he discovers thirteen illegal immigrants in his lorry?

[-Talbot-]

who would you fine, exactly? A nation is up in arms about the thought of a single migrant coming here,


Tut tut, jno.

[tonyav]

Exactly, Vulcan. I think thinks could get pretty violent.

[tonyav]

Tony it is unfair especially as said he could have let them go and no-one would be the wiser


And I wouldn't blame them if they did, Prudie. Getting fines like this is ridiculous and could maybe send some haulage companies into bankruptcy.

[jno]

tonyav, the airlines are already expected to do this, and I gather there are plans to force landlords to check the residency qualification of their tenants. So much easier to fine landlords than hire professionals to defend the borders, as you say.

[jourdain2]

No, it doesn't seem fair if the driver has done all s/he can to prevent migrants boarding - but it looks as though some are a bit casual. I've said it before - a small, possessive dog in each cab, checking the cargo before they embark would help.

Perhaps ferry companies could be fined instead? They transport the lorries that transport the illegals. During the crossing there is ample time for staff to check. Customs officers on duty when said lorries passed their posts could also be a target for fines/black marks on their record preventing promotion. Just an idea.

[agchristie]

Haulage firms should have no truck with them...

[zebo]

Put them back in and return them to the continent on the next trip over there.

[-Talbot-]

During the crossing there is ample time for staff to check.


Really?

[Mamyalynne]

It does sound simple in a Government sound bite ,however the only real way a driver could be sure no on had stowed away since his last check would be to do a search just as his wheels were about to board the ferry.


Would they(ferry companies et al) be happy to have all that on every trip, for I can see no other way to be truly sure.

[Maydup]

Its a hideous situation for the haulage companies and things are getting pretty violent on the roads into Calais now, but the penalties have to be high enough to deter dishonest drivers from taking fares.

[jno]

I can't see why lorries couldn't be driven into a secure area before boarding, and fully checked, by UK border staff, before getting onto trains/ferries. Yes, it would cost time and money, but if that's what the public want, and what politicians want, then just do it.

[douglas9401]

Is there really any point to the exercise at all?
If they make it across they end up, in effect, released to the wild anyway.

[Old_Geezer]

Are you under the delusion that government only passes laws that are "fair" ?

[sevenOP]

Scapegoats are always conveniently distracting.

[askyourgran]

It is unfair, the drivers had to stay in their cabs in sweltering heat while queueing at Calais while the French were striking. There was nothing much they can do to prevent the illegals breaking into their vehicles some had crowbars. It is disgusting how this whole business is being handled no-one seems to be taking any action about them not to mention the ISIS business too, how many of them are coming in that way?

[tonyav]

It is disgusting how this whole business is being handled no-one seems to be taking any action about them not to mention the ISIS business too, how many of them are coming in that way?


Yes ayg, and how many are already here.