Menu
23/02/2005
TUC claims some employment agencies 'cheat' workers
Many UK workers are earning less than the minimum wage, because some employment agencies are making illegal deductions from their pay, a Trades Union Congress (TUC) report has claimed.
The TUC report found that a number of 'dodgy' agencies routinely made deductions from temporary workers for cashing pay cheques, transport, accommodation and providing clothing and safety equipment which brings the hourly rate for many agency workers to underneath the current minimum wage of £4.85 an hour. Migrant workers were those most likely to be affected by these practises, the TUC said.
Agency workers can bring complaints against any employment agency if they believe they are being subjected to unfair charges, under the minimum wage legislation. However, the TUC said that many workers are unaware of their rights and are also terrified of losing their jobs and accommodation, if they complain. The TUC report said that this was the reason why the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate received so few complaints.
The only other deduction that an agency can take from an employee's wages, apart from the usual deductions, such as tax and National Insurance, is for accommodation, up to a limit of £26.25 per week. If this takes a worker's wage below the minimum level, it is not a breach of legislation.
The TUC's report, 'Below The Minimum: Agency workers and the minimum wage', has been published ahead of next week's debate on the European Temporary Agency Workers Directive. The Directive would make it more difficult for agencies to exploit vulnerable workers and would also give workers improved job security, pay, working time, holiday and maternity rights.
The TUC is urging the government to support the Directive, as well as increase resources to DTI inspectors to enable successful prosecutions to be brought against unscrupulous agencies.
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber criticised regulations introduced in 2003 to protect workers from being exploited, saying that they were "clearly doing nothing of the sort".
He said: "Agency workers deserve a better deal than many of them are getting at the moment. Vulnerable workers need protection and the Government should give its full support to the European Directive so that the legal standing of UK agency workers is improved."
A copy of 'Below the minimum: Agency workers and the minimum wage' is available from www.tuc.org.uk
(KMcA/SP)
The TUC report found that a number of 'dodgy' agencies routinely made deductions from temporary workers for cashing pay cheques, transport, accommodation and providing clothing and safety equipment which brings the hourly rate for many agency workers to underneath the current minimum wage of £4.85 an hour. Migrant workers were those most likely to be affected by these practises, the TUC said.
Agency workers can bring complaints against any employment agency if they believe they are being subjected to unfair charges, under the minimum wage legislation. However, the TUC said that many workers are unaware of their rights and are also terrified of losing their jobs and accommodation, if they complain. The TUC report said that this was the reason why the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate received so few complaints.
The only other deduction that an agency can take from an employee's wages, apart from the usual deductions, such as tax and National Insurance, is for accommodation, up to a limit of £26.25 per week. If this takes a worker's wage below the minimum level, it is not a breach of legislation.
The TUC's report, 'Below The Minimum: Agency workers and the minimum wage', has been published ahead of next week's debate on the European Temporary Agency Workers Directive. The Directive would make it more difficult for agencies to exploit vulnerable workers and would also give workers improved job security, pay, working time, holiday and maternity rights.
The TUC is urging the government to support the Directive, as well as increase resources to DTI inspectors to enable successful prosecutions to be brought against unscrupulous agencies.
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber criticised regulations introduced in 2003 to protect workers from being exploited, saying that they were "clearly doing nothing of the sort".
He said: "Agency workers deserve a better deal than many of them are getting at the moment. Vulnerable workers need protection and the Government should give its full support to the European Directive so that the legal standing of UK agency workers is improved."
A copy of 'Below the minimum: Agency workers and the minimum wage' is available from www.tuc.org.uk
(KMcA/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
16 May 2003
TUC calls for more rights for temps
The TUC has claimed that the "unregulated and fragmented" market in the UK has allowed recruitment agencies to exploit temporary workers.
TUC calls for more rights for temps
The TUC has claimed that the "unregulated and fragmented" market in the UK has allowed recruitment agencies to exploit temporary workers.
15 April 2005
Workplace racism is ‘damaging’ careers, TUC claims
Racism in the British workplace is “damaging” the career prospects of many black workers, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has claimed. The TUC said that black workers get less training opportunities, although they are often better qualified than their white counterparts.
Workplace racism is ‘damaging’ careers, TUC claims
Racism in the British workplace is “damaging” the career prospects of many black workers, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has claimed. The TUC said that black workers get less training opportunities, although they are often better qualified than their white counterparts.
23 June 2005
UK temps ‘least protected in Europe’, TUC claims
UK agency workers are the least protected in Europe, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has claimed, with agency workers in Poland and Slovenia having more rights than British temps.
UK temps ‘least protected in Europe’, TUC claims
UK agency workers are the least protected in Europe, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has claimed, with agency workers in Poland and Slovenia having more rights than British temps.
29 October 2014
Homecarers Travel Time Is Not Paid - Unison
93% of councils in England and Wales do not make it a contractual condition for homecare providers to pay employees for travel time, according to a Freedom of Information request by UNISON. Only 7% of councils in England require providers to pay travel time, and in Wales none of its councils instruct providers to pay for travel time.
Homecarers Travel Time Is Not Paid - Unison
93% of councils in England and Wales do not make it a contractual condition for homecare providers to pay employees for travel time, according to a Freedom of Information request by UNISON. Only 7% of councils in England require providers to pay travel time, and in Wales none of its councils instruct providers to pay for travel time.
08 April 2011
Government Approves New £6.08 Minimum Wage Rate
The Government has today accepted the independent Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations for this year’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates. The following rates will come into effect on 1 October 2011:The adult rate will increase by 15p to £6.08 an hourThe rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 6p to £4.
Government Approves New £6.08 Minimum Wage Rate
The Government has today accepted the independent Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations for this year’s National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates. The following rates will come into effect on 1 October 2011:The adult rate will increase by 15p to £6.08 an hourThe rate for 18-20 year olds will increase by 6p to £4.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
