TUC Commission meets exploited workers in the South West

On Thursday (26 July) the TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, visited the West Country to meet some of the region's most exploited workers.

Barber, along with other members of the TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment, met seasonal, temporary and migrant workers in Bristol, before travelling to Taunton to meet Malcolm Bell, Chief Executive of SW tourism, and other tourism employers.

Brendan Barber said:

“A lot of people will have the odd grumble about their job, but are treated fairly most of the time. But some workers in the South West are experiencing rank exploitation of the type that Charles Dickens would recognise.

'Their experience can be hidden and the job of the Commission is to shine a light on Britain's exploited workers, and work out what government, employers, unions and voluntary groups should be doing to protect them.”

He continued:

“We're keen to hear from vulnerable workers about their experiences of living and working in the South West - those being underpaid, those working too many hours, those working in dangerous conditions, and those being manipulated by unscrupulous agencies and rogue employers.

“Over the coming year we will be gathering evidence and research and we will ensure that the Government stands ready to listen to our findings.”

The Commission on Vulnerable Employment was launched in May 2007 to investigate the extent of workplace exploitation and to consider improvements to the enforcement regime and legal protection available for vulnerable staff.

A report prepared for the Commission suggests up to one in five of the workforce in the South West may be vulnerable workers - agency workers, temporary workers, domestic workers, home workers and migrant workers could all be at risk.

Examples of exploitation include low pay, including illegal and unfair deductions from the minimum wage; unsafe workplaces; limited rights to leave; and lack of control over working time and lack of security.

Julia Verne of Polski Bristol said:

"Vulnerable workers account for a significant proportion of the workforce. They are discriminated against by poor rates of pay and working conditions, higher health and safety risks and fewer employment rights. Certain population groups are more likely to be in the types of employment, which put them at risk. I am confident the Commission can propose practical solutions to address this injustice."

Debbie Coulter, Deputy General Secretary of GMB said:

“In recent years significant numbers of working people have benefited from improvements to workers rights, such as the introduction of the Statutory Minimum Wage, increased holiday provision, working hours restrictions and so on.

“However, a substantial group of workers, often unaware or denied their employment rights, remains vulnerable and susceptible to exploitation. The establishment of the TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment is a welcome step forward in our efforts to engage with, raise awareness of and offer assistance to those employees who are voiceless, powerless and excluded in this rapidly changing world of work.”