The Bill states explicitly the requirement for an employment permit where it is proposed to employ a non-EEA national, and creates a criminal offence for both an employee and an employer where a contract of employment is entered into without such a permit. It has long been a source of concern that there is a great legal imbalance between employer and employee when it comes to the law on the employment of non-nationals. No right-thinking person can agree that it is fair that while it is an offence for the non-national, in general, to be in employment without an employment permit, the employer can take such staff on with impunity. Furthermore, it is unacceptable that some unscrupulous employers should be able to gain an economic advantage over compliant employers through illegal employment. The provisions contained in the Bill redress the existing imbalance. They send a clear message to employers, in particular, that exploitative activity of this nature is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.