Government moves to protect UK and migrant workers in labour market reforms (14 October 2015)

Government moves to protect UK and migrant workers in labour market reforms

Business Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that recruitment firms which recruit solely from overseas, without having advertised in the UK or in the English language, will be banned from doing so under plans announced on Tuesday (13/10/15).

The government will also consult on introducing a new criminal offence to tackle unscrupulous employers who subject migrant workers to illegal working conditions and pay.

The proposals are contained in two consultations on reforming recruitment sector legislation and tackling exploitation in the labour market.

The Modern Slavery Bill has already been introduced to prevent migrant workers who may be living illegally in the UK from being exploited by unscrupulous bosses and gangmasters, as well as gangs involved in human trafficking, who bring workers into Britain to work in low-paid jobs or the sex trade.

There have been fears raised among some UK workers that migrant workers’ willingness to work longer hours for low pay undermines both wage levels in the UK jobs market and job security.

In recent hours, zero hours contracts have been offered to many of Britain’s workers, which do not guarantee a minimum number of hours.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said:

“To ignore the pool of talent in the UK wastes the potential of British people, who want the dignity of a job and the security of a pay cheque.

“This one nation government is committed to making sure our economy delivers for people who want to work hard and get on in life.

“We will also protect migrant workers who are duped into working in the UK and then exploited by rogue businesses. Their unscrupulous practices undercut firms who play by the rules.”

Immigration Minister James Brokenshire added:

“We will make Britain a fairer and safer place for employees, by introducing new and improved protections for workers.

“A new Director of Labour Market Enforcement and reforms to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority sends a clear message that we are committed to protecting employees – and bringing rogue operators to justice.

“I want to send a clear message to workers – we will pass new laws to protect you and we will enforce them.

“The recruitment sector plays an important role in ensuring the labour market works effectively, by helping people to find permanent and temporary work.

“These proposed changes strike a balance between removing burdens on employment agencies – and retaining important protections for people who are looking for work.

“This includes stopping recruitment firms recruiting solely from other European Economic Area (EEA) countries.”

Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is one of the UK’s leading firms of immigration solicitors able to advise on UK work visa applications and right to work in the UK.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and Duncan Lewis can also advise on:

• Asylum and asylum appeals
• British citizenship
• Entrepreneur visas
• Illegal entry to the UK
• Marriage in the UK
• Modern Slavery Bill
• Student visas
• Visa overstays.

For expert legal advice on all UK immigration matters, contact Duncan Lewis immigration solicitors on 020 7923 4020.