Put A Stop To Exploitation Now Says UNISON Chief, UK

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 08 May 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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"Bosses must not be allowed to get away with what can only be described as 19th century practices" said UNISON chief Dave Prentis today. The union is calling for tougher legislation and greater enforcement following the release of the report from the Commission into Vulnerable Employment (CoVE), which estimates around 2 million workers in the UK are vulnerable to exploitation.

For too long the Agency Worker's Directive has been languishing in the long grass and the government needs to kickstart the bill and prevent further unfair treatment of these workers who are currently not equal under the law.

They are expected to put up with lower wages, receive only statutory sick pay and holidays, and no pension or training. With no contracts they can be fired at will when the work dries up. This often leaves temporary workers in a trap, at the bottom of the ladder, short of cash, and progressively willing to accept lower pay and worse conditions.

Dave Prentis, Head of UNISON and a CoVE Commissioner, said:

"If Gordon Brown is serious about listening -about taking action -this is a good place to start. The abuse of temporary agency workers is happening right now and we need action now to end this blight. Seeing first hand the appalling conditions that some vulnerable workers face convinced me that we need urgent measures now. This report exposes shocking treatment across the UK labour market. I've seen fruit pickers crammed into caravans and living on sites in appalling conditions and Polish factory workers living 8 to a room.

"The burgeoning care sector is fast becoming a low pay ghetto, with long hours and a rapid turnover of staff. This has a damaging impact on the vulnerable and elderly residents who have little or no continuity of care and may not be getting the qualified care they need.

The report highlights the important role of trade unions in raising awareness of workers' rights and organising vulnerable workers. When UNISON started receiving complaints from overseas nurses in Scotland it set up the Overseas Nurses Network (ONN).

Dave Prentis, said:

"UNISON's Overseas Nurses Network is a prime example of how unions can tackle the problem if they are prepared to be innovative and flexible. The network is funded by UNISON, but welcomes non-members providing a much needed support network. Get-togethers are a world away from the traditional image of trade union meetings and are very informal, but they provide valuable employment and legal advice and information."

http://www.unison.org.uk