UNETHICAL PRACTICES BY RECRUITMENT FIRMS UNDER SCRUTINY
Such practices have hit the headlines recently when it was revealed that some firms are charging their clients lower hourly rates for migrant workers and then making their profits from the migrant workers themselves. They do this by setting up property businesses as a side line to their main activities, to buy up properties and then let them out to temporary migrant workers. The agencies then make large deductions for rent, utility bills and travel out of their wages and make big profits from these.
Temporary workers often come over to the UK for short six month contracts and don’t realise what they are getting themselves into. Although there is quite stringent legislation designed to protect the welfare of workers, there is very little enforcement of it.
“Whilst some of these practices are not illegal, I would argue that they are unethical and migrant workers are being exploited. To my mind it verges on slave labour.” said Paul. “Clients should be asking questions of their recruitment agencies to ensure that they are ethical in their business practices. Not only that, I am sure that if buyers and users of products made by temporary workers were aware of the treatment of some of the workers, they might well think twice before purchasing.”
“One of the effects of these highly questionable business practices is that the reputable recruitment agencies that do not make these deductions are at a disadvantage commercially as they cannot compete based on hourly rates,” added Paul.
For further information contact:
Paul Jackman, Thorn Baker, tel: 0115 947 20005
Tuesday 29th May 2007
