The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the body that represents the UK recruitment industry welcomes Ernst and Youngís recent report which recognises the important contribution that migrant workers make to the UK economy. However, it warns that more needs to be done to ensure migrants are not being exploited.
The current UK skills crisis has put considerable pressure on employers and recruiters looking to source skilled workers. This problem is particularly evident in key sectors such as construction and hospitality where migrant workers have made a real difference.
Gareth Osborne, managing director, Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) comments, ìWhether it is bus companies or restaurants, employers all over the country are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit locally or nationally. The RECís monthly Report on Jobs ñ which is conducted in association with KPMG and NTC research ñ shows that the demand for staff continues to rise. This demand covers both skilled and unskilled posts and has led to a number of recruiters undertaking pro-active campaigns in the new member states.î
Worryingly, there have been problems in integrating this new workforce with some unscrupulous employers exploiting their lack of knowledge of the UK labour market. Osborne continues:
ìWhilst these figures show that workers from Poland are keen to come to the UK and that in the main they contribute to UK market, at the same time, more needs to be done to ensure that they are not exploited and do not fall into the wrong hands. It is for this reason that the REC will be working with the DTI following the recent report Success at Work which highlights the need to protect vulnerable workers.î
Examples of exploitation have included paying under the minimum wage, unfit housing and making illegal deductions from wage packets.
Gareth Osborne concludes, ìIt is unacceptable that people are being contracted to work outside the law. This is harmful to both the worker and for bona fide agencies who are competing with the small number of rogue operators. The REC is pressing the Government to improve its enforcement regime and is promoting best practice within the industry when it comes to managing migrant labour. Employers need to ensure they choose recruiters based on their quality and reputation, not just cost.î
REC Welcomes Recognition For Polish Workers
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