Inspections at beach areas in the Algarve have seen hospitality workers questioned and those without authorisation dealt with.
Inspectors working for the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF) have been snooping around hotels, shops and building sites along the Algarve's coastal resorts to nab those who are in the country, or working, illegally.
As part of operation Safe Summer, the SEF said that its inspectors began their work on July 1st aiming to ‘enhance and strengthen control’ and will carry on throughout the summer season until September 1st.
Inspections at hotels, commercial establishments and construction sites saw 50 people questioned, eight of whom were illegally in the country.
Of these eight, one was arrested for being here illegally and will be kicked out, two were asked politely to leave the country, and the rest were asked to get registered at an SEF office.
The inspectors are able to issue fines to employers of illegal workers of between €2,000 and €10,000.
According to the SEF, the actions taken are aimed at beach resort areas where the likelihood of finding illegal workers is greatest so the inspectors can combat the employment of illegal labour - and raise the most in fines to cover the costs of the excercise.
