Scheme for vulnerable workers is 'rubbish'

A government-sponsored pilot project to curb the exploitation of migrants and other vulnerable workers in construction has been dismissed as "rubbish" even before it has got off the ground.

A pilot construction scheme in the London docklands area has been announced by Jim Fitzpatrick, Employment Relations Minister. He said it will aim at "better protection for vulnerable workers and a fair deal for good employers".

He explained: "The government wants everyone to benefit from these employment rights. Too often, workers, especially those in low pay sectors, aren't aware of their rights or where to go when they have a problem."

The DTI is to invite the TUC to put together proposals for the London pilot. It is scheduled for a launch early next year and to run for two years.

But there has already been a sceptical response from Bob Blackman, national construction secretary at the TGWU.

"This is rubbish," he said. "These workers haven't got any rights. They need to be employed by the same firm for a year before they acquire employment protection rights. And that just doesn't happen. If they complain about low pay or unsafe working conditions they are sacked.

"What the government seems to be looking for is employers who will confess that they are exploiting their workers and workers who will complain in the knowledge that doing so means they will be sacked. It's unrealistic."

Blackman said that a better approach might be to extend the principles of the Gangmasters Bill, which was having a significant impact on reining in the exploitation of agricultural labour.

Jim Fitzpatrick said the construction pilot would bring together unions, local authorities, business groups and advice bodies to tackle the problems faced by vulnerable workers.

"Business will also benefit as the project will look at the help given to employers to raise their awareness of employment law obligations," he said.