SUSPECTED illegal workers hid in cardboard boxes during a raid at a clothing factory.
Others ran off and had to be cornered on the roof of the six-storey Manchester warehouse. They tried to escape when Border Agency officers and police burst into Majid House on Devonshire Street North, Ardwick, yesterday morning.
Out of 65 people in the building, 21 men and two women from Afghanistan and Pakistan were arrested on suspicion of working illegally in the country. They were still being questioned last night.
Their bosses are being investigated for any breaches of health and safety regulations and whether staff had been paid the minimum wage.
Border officials have been investigating the warehouse for months. they said the raid followed intelligence about some of the 20 businesses inside, mostly clothing producers working for wholesalers.
Dangerous
Jo Liddy, regional director of the UK Border Agency in the north west, said: "Unscrupulous employers who flout the law will not be tolerated. Illegal working is unfair on honest employers and takes jobs away from those with a legal right to work.
"These employers will often bypass health and safety and minimum wage legislation, which can lead to dangerous working conditions.
"Employers who don't play by the rules face on-the-spot fines and could potentially end up in jail. Our message is simple - make no mistake, you will be caught."
Manchester Trading Standards and the Health and Safety Executive also took part in the raid.
None of the workers arrested yesterday were from TNS Knitwear.
A Primark spokesman said: "The company is pleased with the progress TNs has made and will continue to source from the company as long as it maintains its commitment to uphold its standards."
Primark says it has checked up on TNS three times since January and each time has given it a green rating - the company'[s highest standard for suppliers.
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