News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 21 September 2009
EMBARGOED UNTIL 00:01 22 SEPTEMBER 2009
Vulnerable workers will be able to seek advice about their
workplace rights and report abuses of those rights through a new
helpline launched by Business Minister Pat McFadden today.
The new Pay and Work Rights helpline is part of a wider campaign
to raise awareness of workplace rights enforced by Government. It
provides a unified point of contact for both employers and
workers.
It has been developed in cooperation with employers, trade unions
and the different enforcement agencies across Government.
The employment rights in question are:
National Minimum Wage Agricultural Minimum Wage Working Time (48
hour average working week) Employment agency standards Gangmaster
licensing
Previously calls on each of these rights were taken by five
separate Government bodies. Workers can now report abuses of these
rights to one point of contact that can address multiple complaints.
The launch of the single helpline comes as a new poll showed that
nearly half of people (48 per cent) wrongly thought employment
agencies can charge workers a fee for finding them a job.
Business Minister, Pat McFadden said:
“This Government has done a lot to improve rights at work but
it’s also essential to make sure these rights are properly
enforced. A simple system for reporting abuses and giving advice
and information to employers and workers is a critical part of
that.
“By consolidating the current complex system of different
helplines for different issues into one single number we are
making it easier for workers to report abuses and for Government
to respond. We want to transfer the burden of navigating the
system from the worker to the Government. This is an important
step and we are determined that the recession does not become an
excuse to deny people their basic rights at work”.
The helpline is based in Manchester and staffed by specialist,
trained advisors able to offer help and advice. Information is
then passed to the relevant enforcement body to take further
action where appropriate.
Notes to Editors
1. The helpline proposal was an outcome from Pat McFadden’s
Vulnerable Worker Enforcement Forum which reported last year. This
work is overseen by the Fair Employment Enforcement Board (FEEB)
which includes the CBI, TUC, FSB, Unite, CAB, REC, and
representatives from the enforcement agencies.
2. The helpline number is 0800 917 2368. The textphone number is
0800 121 4042. Information is also available on
direct.gov.uk/payandworkrights and businesslink.gov.uk/payandworkrights.
3. The National Minimum Wage is enforced by HM Revenue and
Customs, the Agricultural Minimum Wage by the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), Working Time (48 hour
average working week) by the Health and Safety Executive (and
local authorities), Employment agency standards by BIS’s
Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate (EAS) and Gangmaster
licensing by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). The wider
set of employment rights (e.g. holiday pay, grievances) is
enforced through application by an individual to an employment tribunal.
4. Free advice on wider employment matters is available from
Acas, the employment relations service. Their helpline, 08457 47
47 47, gives confidential, impartial advice and guidance on a wide
range of work rights. Acas also helps employers and employees
settle claims to employment tribunals.
5. The over arching awareness raising campaign is in the second
of its three years. The first year targeted agency workers, and
led to an increase of 300 per cent in calls to the EAS helpline.
6. On 1 October 2009 the new rates for the National Minimum wage
will come into effect. The rate is rising to £5.80 per hour for
workers aged 22 and over, £4.83 for 18-21 year olds and £3.57 for
those aged 16 and 17. From 1 October 2009 new agricultural minimum
wage rates also apply from £5.81 per hour for workers of school
leaving age and above.
7. A “vulnerable worker” is defined as someone who has little
knowledge of their rights, finds it hard to access advice, and
does not have the capacity to protect themselves against rights abuses.
8. The poll results are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was
2462 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 1st - 2nd September
2009. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been
weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).
9. The Fair Treatment at Work Survey, published by BIS on 11
September 2009, provides further information on people’s knowledge
and awareness of employment rights. It supports the view that
there are a number of vulnerable groups who are less aware of
their rights than the general population.
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Matthew Barker
Phone: 020 7215 5946
Matthew.Barker@bis.gsi.gov.uk