Under Section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006, which comes into force on 29 February, employers can be fined up to £10,000 for each illegal worker employed. It also identifies the key documents that should be checked to prove people are eligible to work in the UK.

Under Section 21, an employer can face up to two years in prison if they knowingly employ an illegal immigrant.

BPIF head of legal Anne Copley told printweek.com that while the bill itself doesn't do a great deal more than is already in place, "it ups the ante and provides more of a deterrent".

Under the existing act, the fixed penalty for employing an illegal worker is £2,000.

Copley added that the print industry has a large volume of EU workers, especially in the bindery sector and it is here where some small printers could get into hot water.

She warned that larger companies are "more likely to have the know-how in order to complete the complicated paperwork".

"Smaller firms employing casual workers may not keep as up to date with the necessary forms and this is where they could get into trouble," added Copley.

"Ask for the correct forms from everybody you employ, don't discriminate and be as comprehensive as possible."

Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke weighed in on the imminent law change, telling printweek.com that "nobody should be employing people illegally in the first place – it exploits people and it damages the print industry".

"Unite welcomes these increased penalties for employers that knowingly take on illegal workers."

Burke added that there were sufficient measures in place for employers to take on temporary workers.

"Illegal workers are a danger as they probably don't have sufficient training to complete their job."

In November 2007, Polestar Sheffield was targeted by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) as part of a crackdown on illegal working, and six members of staff were arrested for offences relating to illegal work and using forged documents.

Guidance on the changes can be downloaded from the Home Office.

More advice from employers is available from 0845 010 6677 or from www.businesslink.gov.uk/emw.