A recruitment
agency supplying seafaring workers was ordered to pay £3015 in
fines and costs yesterday at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court
following a successful prosecution by the Government’s Employment
Agency Standards (EAS) inspectorate.
Susan Myers (nee Leach), a Director of Relay Marine UK Ltd,
pleaded guilty for withholding pay, totalling around £21,000, from
four workers. EAS found that Susan Myers either failed to make
full payment to the workers or failed to pay them at all.
Minister for Employment Relations Norman Lamb said:
“Today’s result sends out the message loud and clear that we
continue to take action against rogue recruiters who flout the law.
“I am pleased to say that most agencies play fairly. It’s
only the minority who continue to ignore their responsibilities -
but they undermine the system for the rest and we will take action
against them.”
Notes to Editors
The Employment Agency Standards inspectorate is part of the
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Inspectorate
carries out inspections of agencies on the basis of perceived risk
of non-compliance and investigates complaints about agency
conduct. Agencies that break the law could face prosecution and be
subject to unlimited fines for the most serious offences. Rogue
agencies could also be banned from operating for up to ten
years.Guidance for agency workers can be found on
http://www.direct.gov/agencyworkers. Guidance for employment
agencies can be found at
http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/employingpeopleThe inspectorate
carries out regular targeted investigations. Recent investigations
were carried out in Swansea as joint exercises with the H M
Revenue and Customs National Minimum Wage Enforcement Team. Mrs
Myers pleaded guilty on 30 April 2012 to 4 charges of withholding
wages from workers contrary to Regulation 12 of the Conduct of
Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 and
section 5(2) of the Employment Agencies Act 1973. BIS's
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