DEPARTMENT FOR
BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM News Release (2008/294)
issued by COI News Distribution Service. 3 December 2008
Twelve employment
agencies in Plymouth have been issued with warnings for failing to
comply with the law.
The warnings follow an investigation in Plymouth by the
Government's Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate.
Investigators found that 12 agencies in Plymouth were breaking
employment regulations. Between these twelve agencies, inspectors
found 68 infringements of the law. Many of these offences were
relatively minor, however the worst practices identified included:
* failing to inform workers sufficiently about the type work they
would be doing
* agencies failing to confirm the identities of
staff they were planning to supply to employers
* risking
workers safety by failing to ensure their awareness of health and
safety issues relevant to their assignments.
Employment Minister Pat McFadden said:
"There should be no hiding place for employment agencies
that exploit workers and flout the law.
"The Government has doubled the number of Employment Agency
Standards inspectors so that they can get out on the ground in
places like Plymouth and target the rule-breakers."
"Follow up investigations will take place in Plymouth to
make sure that the agencies concerned have changed their ways.
Agencies that continue to flout the law could be prosecuted, hit
hard with fines or even banned from operating for up to 10 years."
The Employment Agency Standards team acted in Plymouth following
reports of improper activity in agencies supplying a diverse range
of staff - from industrial workers and construction workers, to
models and entertainers. The Department for Business has also
launched a campaign to raise awareness of the Employment Agency
Standards inspectorate, particularly among vulnerable agency workers.
People can report employment agencies they suspect of breaking
the law by contacting the Employment Agency Standards inspectorate
on 0845 955 5105 or emailing eas@berr.gsi.gov.uk.
Notes to Editors
1. The Employment Agency Standards inspectorate is part of the
Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. The
Inspectorate carries out inspections of agencies on the basis of
perceived risk of non-compliance and investigates complaints about
agency conduct.
2. The inspectorate visited the Plymouth area in the week
beginning 24 November, visiting 18 agencies in total.
3. Agencies who break the law could face prosecution and fines of
up to £5,000 per offence. Rogue agencies could also be banned from
operating for up to ten years.
4. For legal reasons, Department for Business cannot name the
agencies warned, unless they are prosecuted or prohibited.
5. The Fair Employment Enforcement Board, which met for the first
time on 5th November, brings together government enforcement
bodies, unions, business leaders, and Citizens Advice to ensure
effective enforcement of the law. The Board will oversee a
significant and sustained campaign to raise workers'
awareness of their basic employment rights. As a first phase, the
EAS inspectorate has begun a campaign to inform agency workers of
their rights. An information booklet is being distributed to
vulnerable workers and advice bodies, and is also available at: http://direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/Employees/Typesofworkoremployment/DG_10027514?IdcService=GET_FILE&dID=177027&Rendition=Web.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk