Government to crackdown on ‘rogue’ employers
The Government has committed to a crackdown to prevent ‘rogue’ employers from abusing vulnerable workers and undercutting businesses which stay within the confines of the law. This is to be achieved through measures such as a single telephone helpline for vulnerable workers to report abuses, ensuring agencies share vital information about rogue employers, and a £6 million campaign to raise awareness of employment rights and how to enforce them.
The measures follow on from the findings of the Vulnerable Workers Enforcement Forum, which was asked to investigate abuses of employment law among ‘vulnerable workers’, i.e. someone working in an environment where the risk of being denied employment rights is high and who does not have the capacity or means to protect themselves from that abuse. The measures announced include:
- establishing a Fair Employment Enforcement Board to coordinate the work of the five enforcement bodies, the HMRC, the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate (EAS), the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, the Health and Safety Executive and Defra;
- a single telephone line for vulnerable workers to report abuses;
- a £6M information campaign to raise awareness of employment rights and how to enforce them; and,
- raising awareness of the Employment Agencies Standards Inspectorate, strengthening its powers and doubling the number of inspectors.
This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out all of the facts, the legal arguments presented and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.
