“Popular central London restaurant accused of exploiting illegal workers amid 'modern slavery' claims”

A popular central London dim sum restaurant has been accused of exploiting illegal workers and potentially breaching modern slavery laws after staff claimed they had been working for food.

Fei Er Cottage has also failed to pay a £180,000 fine issued by the Home Office after half the staff its staff were found to be working illegally when the premises was raided by immigration officers.

On Thursday a licensing review, called by the Home Office, heard that during the enforcement visit four members of staff – two men and a woman from China and a man from Nepal - were arrested.

The venue has been trading in the heart of Westminster for over 30 years…

He added that a £180,000 fine had been issued to Fei Er Cottage’s parent company, China Centre Pimlico ltd, but had not been paid by the April 24 deadline…

A Chinese national who came to Britain on a student visa in 2024 limiting him to just 20 hours work a week in term time was questioned during the raid on December 18.

A legal representative for the restaurant said it was under new management and staffing issues had been “put right”…