New report must widen the debate on vulnerable workers, says REC

A joint report published this week from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland highlights examples of worker exploitation and calls for bad employers to be brought to account.

Commenting on the findings of the report, REC Director of External Relations Tom Hadley says: ìThe REC fully supports all initiatives to address the activities of rogue employers that not only exploit workers but also undercut legitimate businesses in the market place.

ìIt is interesting to note that the examples of bad practice mentioned in the report are primarily linked to direct employers rather than to temporary work. The REC has consistently called for the debate on protecting vulnerable workers to encompass all form of employment rather than focus solely on temporary agency workî.

In launching the ëRouting out the Roguesí report, Citizens Advice Chief Executive David Harker said: ìWhile the vast majority of employers try hard to meet their legal obligations, our evidence shows that there are still far too many rogues out there, flouting the law, ignoring rules without sanction and profiting from vulnerable workers. We welcome the UK Governmentís increasing recognition of the problems caused by rogue employers and the difficulties faced by the most vulnerable workers, but much more still needs to be doneî.

The REC is represented on the Governmentís Vulnerable Workers Enforcement Forum which is chaired by the Employment Relations Minister Pat McFadden and also includes the participation of Trade Unions, leading business organisations and other key stakeholders such as Citizens Advice.

The REC has welcomed recent announcements on enhancing the enforcement of exiting regulations and is taking forward other key priorities identified by the Forum ñ in particular, practical measures aimed at encouraging workers to blow the whistle on rogue employers or labour providers.