Queensferry Crossing workers held on suspicion of working illegally
Seven people have been arrested.
Seven people employed at the new Queensferry crossing construction site have been arrested on suspicion of working illegally.
They were arrested on Monday as part of an investigation by the Home Office immigration, compliance and enforcement team.
They are expected to appear at Dunfermline Sheriff Court in Fife in due course.
The Scottish Government said the group were not employed directly by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) but through a second tier, labour-only sub-contractor, and that FCBC has co-operated fully with the investigation.
Scottish Economy Secretary Keith Brown has written to Home Office minister Robert Goodwill requesting an urgent discussion'' and toseek reassurance over the measures in place to address the issue of the use of illegal foreign workers''.
He said: It's important that the construction industry can responsibly provide the correct resource to support the delivery of our pipeline of infrastructure projects.
Across our projects, contractors have assured us that they carry out all business and operations in such a manner as to fully comply with and meet all legislative requirements, including all relevant employment laws.
As such, it is standard policy to carry out checks to ensure that all direct employees and staff have the necessary and valid credentials as is required for them to be legitimately employed prior to their appointment.
We have also received assurance that it is also a requirement that second tier sub-contractors also meet these obligations.
As we would expect, the project contractor Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors is fully co-operating with the Home Office investigation, we await the outcome of this investigation and it would be inappropriate to comment further.''