Unions representing construction workers feel that the mistreatment of workers by rogues employers in the construction sector is such that the industry now urgently needs regulation to end exploitation and drive out the crooks.

The call for regulation was made from unions who have come together in support of a proposal to extend the Gangmasters Licensing Act to the construction sector.  A Ten Minute Rule Bill to promote this measure was presented to the Commons on Wednesday, June 13th, 2007 by Jim Sheridan MP, architect of the original gangmasters legislation, passed in 2004 with government, cross party, trade union and industry backing following the Morecambe Bay tragedy.

Writing to all Labour back benchers to encourage them to back the Bill, the general sectraries of the T&G Section of Unite, Amicus Section of Unite, Ucatt and the TUC said:

“The absence of effective regulatory controls of labour agencies operating in construction provides significant scope to mistreat workers, a growing number of whom are vulnerable migrant workers, without fear of sanction.   Wages are falling, training is being neglected and health and safety law is sidestepped as rogue labour providers drive down costs and good employers out of business.  Deaths on construction sites have risen dramatically with 78 construction industry deaths last year, a 25% increase on the previous year.  We also remain concerned that there is significant under-reporting of deaths and injuries among bogus self-employed and migrant workers who do not feature in the official statistics.

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