Unions call for tighter control over foreign labour on sites

Tighter controls over the use of foreign labour on construction sites are sought by UCATT in a motion tabled for debate at this year's TUC annual conference in September.

"Migrant workers arriving in this country should be made aware of their rights so that they do not fall prey to employers offering lower pay and conditions than the indigenous workforce," said the union.

The motion expresses concern about the impact of migration policies on both the indigenous workforce and on the migrants' countries of origin.

It says short-term labour migration must not be seen by policy makers as a solution to fundamental recruitment and retention problems in key sectors of the economy such as construction.

The union calls for the TUC to press the government to guarantee:
- The skill level of migrant workers is accredited to NVQ standards.

· There is no relaxation of rules governing work permits which might allow labour agencies a role in recruiting migrant labour.

· A government monitoring system to prevent exploitation of migrant workers.

· Checks on the effects of migration policies at home and abroad.

· Adequate safety procedures for migrant workers including checks on language ability.

A second UCATT resolution on the TUC's preliminary agenda supports the introduction of a new offence of corporate killing to be introduced "within the lifetime of this government."

It says the offence should be based on management negligence or failure rather than against "industry standards."

And it should provide for individual directors to be prosecuted for contributing or significantly contributing to the offence committed by the company.