Landscape Architect Articles

SC Immigrant Worker Reforms12-31-08 | News

SC Immigrant Worker Reforms

The South Carolina state Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation will give an employer three days notice that it will conduct an audit, or it will establish a list of employers each year and notify them that they will be audited during the year. Industries or work places that employ high levels of immigrants ?EUR??,,????'?????<

South Carolina?EUR??,,????'?????<

The changes kick in for all other employers over the following 18 months.

Under the law, all employers must verify the legal status of new workers by requiring proof of either a South Carolina driver?EUR??,,????'?????<

Companies also can use the U.S. Department of Homeland Security?EUR??,,????'?????<

?EUR??,,????'?????<

For private businesses that have between 100 and 499 employees, the law starts July 1. For all other private businesses and public contractors with fewer than 100 workers, the law takes effect by July 1, 2010.

The new law will be enforced through random auditing by Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, said Jim Knight, the agency?EUR??,,????'?????<

Penalties for knowingly hiring workers who are in the country illegally range up to $1,000. And a business can lose its right to operate for 10 to 30 days for the first offense and for at least five years by the fourth offense.

Businesses that do not properly verify a worker?EUR??,,????'?????<

In all cases, illegal workers must be fired immediately.

Penalties

$100-$1,000 per offense. (Can be avoided if remedied in 72 hours.)

First offense: License suspended for 10-30 days; license reinstated with remedy and payment of reinstatement fee up to $1,000

Second offense: License suspended for 30-60 days; reinstatement with remedy and payment of reinstatement fee up to $1,000

Third offense: License revoked. Can get provisional license after 90 days, but business remains on probation for three years. Remedies and reinstatement fees apply.
?EUR??,,????'?????<Source: www.charleston.net.