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Oxfam calls for government action to protect vulnerable workers

Posted: 06/05/08
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International agency Oxfam today welcomed the conclusions of the TUC’s Commission on Vulnerable Employment (COVE) and called for government action to help millions of vulnerable low-paid workers.

“Oxfam believes that everyone in the UK has the right to a secure income and dignified working conditions,” said Kate Wareing, Oxfam’s Director for UK Poverty. “But the TUC report Hard Work, Hidden Lives reinforces Oxfam’s own experience of working with vulnerable workers: that millions of people in the UK are being paid less than the minimum wage and are not receiving the rights and benefits they are legally entitled to; many others experience constant insecurity because of their status as temporary or agency workers.”

“The government wants work to be an effective route out of poverty; but the reality is that there’s an invisible army of exploited workers in the UK, doing some of the lowest paid, most insecure and unpopular jobs in the country – jobs which do not give them enough to live on and affect their health and well-being,” continued Wareing.

“Oxfam is calling for better legislative protection for vulnerable workers and stronger enforcement of existing regulations to ensure that all those in jobs are able to earn enough to live on in the safe, dignified conditions, appropriate to a rich country in the 21st century.”

Oxfam is calling for:
Stronger enforcement of the national minimum wage; More action on dangerous working conditions in low-paid sectors, including more on-site inspections by the Health and Safety Executive. An extension of the Gangmasters Licensing Act, which currently regulates the employment of migrant workers in the agricultural, horticultural and shellfish industries to cover other industries employing migrant workers.Temporary and agency workers to be paid the same as direct workers and have access to the same employment rights and protection from unfair treatment.

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For further information, contact: Louie Fooks on 01865 473280 or 07789946562

Notes for editors

1. Hard Work, Hidden Lives, TUC Commission on Vulnerable Employment, May 2008
The Commission for Vulnerable Employment estimates that around two million workers in the UK find themselves in vulnerable employment – which they define as precarious work that places people at risk of continuing poverty and injustice.

2. Oxfam’s work with migrant workers
Migrant workers are some of the most exploited and vulnerable workers in the UK. Oxfam has been working with migrant workers for over three years in a major programme funded by the Big Lottery, run in partnership with trade unions and migrant worker organisations. Our aim is to ensure migrant workers can earn a secure income, free from discrimination and exploitation. Our work includes:

Running information workshops so migrant workers know their rights and entitlements at work.

Training migrant community leaders to support other migrants in their communities with information on rights and services.

Working directly with employers in the private sector to ensure they fulfil their legal obligations;

Training and supporting migrants to talk to the media and challenge negative stereotypes of migrants.

Lobbying government for better legislation to protect migrant workers and for better enforcement of existing legislation.

A female migrant worker who has worked with Oxfam, says:
“I got a job in social care in the UK, through an agency. But it was not a good experience. I was working 7 days a week. I had to get up at 5am and work until 12 at night. I was working more than 50 hours a week – but I only got £80 for this and the agent never gave me a payslip to show how my wages were calculated. We visited old people in their homes – but we were not paid for the time it took to travel between our appointments. The agent also deducted £50 a week for accommodation, even though we were living with four girls to a room and sleeping in bunk beds. Without experience and without proper English it was too hard to complain about how we were treated.”

Louie Fooks
Communications Coordinator
UK Poverty, Oxfam GB
Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Oxford, OX4 2 JY

( I usually work 4 days a week and often do not work on Wednesday.)

Tel: 01865 473280
Mob: 07789946562

Nearly 13 million people live in poverty in the UK -- 1 in 5 of the population

Oxfam works with others to overcome poverty and suffering.

Oxfam GB is a member of Oxfam International, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England No. 612172.
Registered office: Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Cowley, Oxford, OX4 2JY.
Registered charity No. 202918.

Contact Name: Louie Fooks
Company: Oxfam
Contact Phone: 01865 473280/07789946562x
Company Website: http://www.oxfam.org.uk