A new guide has been published by the TUC today aimed at tackling exploitation in the workplace.
The booklet, funded by the TUC’s Union Modernisation Fund (UMF), has been published to raise awareness of basic rights at work amidst concerns that thousands of workers across the UK are being exploited by unscrupulous employers.
The TUC believes that at any time at least 150,000 workers are not being paid the minimum wage when they are due it, and that the onset of the recession has led to more workers being cheated.
Enforcing Basic Workplace Rights, which is aimed at union officials and reps, outlines the role that the UK’s four main statutory enforcement agencies – the HMRC National Minimum Wage enforcement team, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and the Health and Safety Executive, plays in enforcing basic workplace rights. It also outlines the powers of enforcement officers and what sanctions employers can face for breaking employment law.
The guide also includes information about the government’s Pay and Work Rights helpline – a confidential helpline which provides help and advice on basic employment rights and also provides a single point of entry for those wanting to access the statutory enforcement agencies.
Enforcing Basic Workplace Rights is published to coincide with a UMF dissemination conference in London to discuss how to tackle vulnerable employment and better protect workers from abuse by rogue employers.
Commenting on the new guide, TUC Deputy General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Tackling vulnerable employment is a key concern for unions. With the labour market struggling to recover from the recession and increasing numbers of those in work facing temporary and insecure employment, action to improve job quality for low-paid workers is as urgent as ever.”
The UMF Round 3 aims to provide tailored support to unions seeking to improve working with vulnerable workers; develop new skills in promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable workers and integrating their needs into negotiations with employers and encouraging closer working between unions and enforcement agencies.
“Workers in low-paid sectors such as care, cleaning, hospitality, security and construction can find themselves working excessively long hours, sometimes with no contract of employment. Their work can be insecure and they are regularly paid below the minimum wage,” Frances O’ Grady said.
