The government will introduce a number of new measures designed to stop vulnerable workers being exploited, it was announced yesterday.
Business and enterprise secretary John Hutton said that the government intended to crack down on rogue employers who are treating their employees unfairly.
The measures will include higher fines for employers paying under the minimum wage and more time spent enforcing payment, Hutton told the Trades Union Congress (TUC).
In addition, the government intends to double the number of inspectors overseeing abuses of employment agency staff, as well as introducing unlimited penalties for those caught doing so.
The government must work alongside trade unions in order to help achieve these aims, said Hutton, who announced that a £3m fund would be made available to equip unions to help vulnerable workers.
However, he added that any government or EU policy must stand up to sufficient scrutiny before gaining his support, particularly in relation to increasing the rights of agency workers.
He said: “Firstly does [the policy] protect jobs and advance the fundamental right to work? Will it continue to allow companies to go on creating jobs and promote rising national prosperity?
“And secondly, will it make a positive change to the most vulnerable working people?
“Where we meet those tests, we will take action.”
© Crimson Business Ltd. 2007
