New cash card helps to prevent illegal immigration

The accidental employment of illegal immigrants (as prominently highlighted in the national news currently), could be significantly reduced thanks to a new combined payment card and communications services package launched by firstthere ( www.firstthere.org ).

Leading card service providers First Prepay ( www.firstprepay.co.uk ) and Boston Marks
( www.bostonmarks.com ) have launched the joint venture targeting combined payment card and communications services at the increasing number of migrant workers in the UK. The new card and communications package, which will be marketed under the firstthere brand, offers a total financial and telecoms solution for migrant workers, with a number of unique benefits.

Perhaps more importantly, the checks that need to made before issuing the card, mean that many illegal immigrants using forged passports will be picked up prior to the issuance of a card.

Ian Allison, corporate relations director for firstthere, said: “Illegal working is a serous problem and our new firstthere card will go a long way towards helping employers prevent illegal immigrants entering their business; The firstthere package has been developed in association with the Association of Labour Providers (ALP), so we represent employer’s interests as well as the genuine migrant worker looking for the best deal on financial and communications services.

”The new firstthere card has been carefully researched and is targeted specifically at making life easier for migrant workers arriving in the UK. Our combined package of a card offering banking services, plus a mobile phone, cheap international calls and free texts, is by far and away the best value banking and communications product available to a migrant worker. Typically, when someone arrives from another country, they do not have any means of accepting wages. Added to that, there is often a period of home sickness and a need to keep in touch with relatives and friends back home. We have listened carefully to the ALP and provided exactly the system that workers and employers want.”
The Association of Labour Providers’ director, David Camp, said. “Migrant workers are essential to our economy yet it can be a daunting experience for them arriving in the UK. We have worked closely with firstthere for several months to make sure that the package offered is attractive and competitive to migrant workers and employers alike. Workers can have their wages paid onto this FSA regulated payment card thereby avoiding the risks of being paid in cash and the high cost of cashing cheques.

”For migrant workers, it’s not just about banking facilities and the ability to exist financially; help with settling in and the ability to stay in touch with family and friends back home are also vitally important. The package from firstthere offers a pay as you go mobile phone, £5 credit, unlimited free international texts and low cost international phone calls. In addition, the sim card contains unique software that delivers a range of free services in a number of key languages. These services include an electronic Job Vacancy Board with jobs you can apply for by text and a free guide to working in the UK - providing useful information and advice to help migrant workers avoid being exploited. We are sure that this package, which is entirely optional and without tie-ins, will help migrant workers settle in to working in the UK.”

Ian Allison added: “For employers, firstthere offers a number of advantages, including a fast and convenient means of paying wages, and free desktop SMS services to text health and safety information, job vacancies and other important company announcements to the workforce in an instant. Firstthere lets employers pay workers' wages simply and easily. It cuts time and costs across the board, and the employer even makes revenue with each card issued.”
Media Contact: BeyondPR. Tel.: 0114 275 6996. Mob: 07930 697773. www.beyondpr.co.uk
Ref: FIRST001 – Illegal immigrants