LAC is backing a campaign by UNITE, to highlight the plight of thousands of vulnerable workers who are being stripped bare of their rights and exploited by unscrupulous agencies every year in Wales, also supported by The Social Justice Minister, Brian Gibbons.
Migrants account for 1% of the Welsh workforce, with more than 16,000 migrants from Eastern Europe registering to work in Wales since May 2004. Over half of the applicants are living in four key local authority areas; Carmarthenshire, Cardiff, Newport and Wrexham.
A Vulnerable Workers Report compiled by UNITE shows that migrant workers play an essential role in the Welsh economy, bringing skills and filling jobs that have not been taken by the existing workforce in Wales, and each year contributing 10% more in UK tax than they claim on the public purse.
Despite their positive impact on the Welsh economy and society, the report by UNITE highlights that an increasing number of migrant workers in Wales have become the victim of agencies who use bullying tactics to exploit them, undermining their rights and the provision of quality employment.
Andy Richards, UNITE's Regional Secretary for Wales, says the campaign will not only aim to tackle European agencies who are undermining workers rights. It will seek to increase support for improving the skills and training of the local workforce as a way of empowering them with transferable skills for the future.
He said: "Modern migrants are essential to the economy - they fill jobs that are not filled by the existing workforce and create new jobs by increasing demand for local goods and services, bringing skills and energy to boost them. Our culture is enriched and diversity enlivens our communities. Their voices are welcomed by the trade union movement and we will fight to make sure they are employed on the same terms as other workers."
The Social Justice Minister, Brian Gibbons, said: "I welcome the partnership approach taken by UNITE and Leo Abse & Cohen to protect and promote working terms and conditions for those who are most vulnerable at work. Wales has a proud history of welcoming people from other nations and, as the Vulnerable Workers Report acknowledges, migrants are welcome in Wales due to their positive impact on both the economy and society.
"Although the Welsh Assembly Government is not responsible for immigration or employment policy, we are responsible for policies and services in Wales that can help support the social and economic integration of migrants. We have a central role to play in promoting the good employment practices, building strong communities and improving understanding and communication between different groups of society.
"As Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, I am committed to working towards a vision of Wales as a thriving, inclusive country with a modern, creative economy, in which everyone can prosper both economically and socially.
"To ensure we address migrant issues strategically, I have established a Migrants Forum that will inform and contribute to the development of a national strategic approach on economic migrants, identify issues and propose solutions, and will inform the development of the community cohesion strategy. I shall be writing to the representatives of trade unions in the near future to invite them to become members of the Forum."
The report by UNITE, shows that some EU workers are enduring long working shifts, some up to 14 hours a day, in over-crowded and poor working conditions. Several agencies are neglecting their duty to ensure that health and safety information is fully understood despite language barriers, but some workers say they are being forced to complete dangerous work tasks with little or no explanation of the risks and questioning it could mean losing their job.
Workers are subject to limited or no information about the terms and conditions of their employment, or are forced to sign contracts they do not understand to have a chance of earning money. Often, they do not know when their shift will end.
The report also highlights the use of 0-hour contracts, meaning workers often have their employment cut short without notice, leaving them with no job and no income for periods of time.
After a long shift a worker can often expect to return home with a lower-than-average pay despite being forced to meet sky-high agency fees to keep their jobs. Deductions and incorrect pay are often made from their wages for accommodation and travel, leaving little money to spend on the everyday cost of living.
Charges of as much as £120.00 have been made by some agencies to send unnecessary applications for registration at the Home Office. But if their legal status is self-employed, as per their contracts,there is no need to register at all.
But workers and their families often face bullying, intimidation and threatening from agency staff if they challenge any terms and conditions of their employment.
Mike Jenkins (LAC) said: "I deal with a number of clients who have suffered appalling treatment and feel very strongly that equality and justice is received for all workers in Wales, whatever their background and origin. We are very pleased to be supporting this issue in receiving the attention it duly deserves, and by joining forces with our partners at UNITE, we can continue to raise its prominence."