3D workers – a new dimension?

Britain has its share of 3D occupations- jobs that are dangerous, demanding and dirty. Another side to this equation is the people who are willing to undertake these jobs. Migrant workers, keen to earn an income to support families in their country of origin, provide a ready supply of labour but at what cost?

When the eight nations joined the European Union in 2004, the government predicted there would be 15,000 people a year moving to the UK for work. In August 2006 Home Office sources revealed that the total number was nearer 600,000 although it is unclear how many still remain. Thousands more were expected to arrive this year, when Romania and Bulgaria joined the EU. The cost of this on the economy and the unemployment rate amongst British workers is debated.

According to research undertaken by accountancy firms, migrant workers are contributing to Britain’s economic growth and are helping keep inflation stable without undermining the jobs of British workers. The government also argues that migrant workers are filling the gaps in UK's labour market, with Home Office statistics indicating that 56% of the workers filled positions in factories. Meanwhile, others fear the cost of the 36,000 dependants in tow and the impact this is having on public services and the welfare system, which, if properly taken into account, some claim would have a deficit effect.  

Another angle to consider is the cost to the economy in the native country. Migrant workers are usually willing to take 3D occupations because, even though they may only get paid the National Minimum Wage here, they still earn more than they would in their homeland. Over half of those entering Britain have come from Poland where salaries can be as low as £200 per month. Employers in Poland are resorting to large scale training and re-orientation programmes in their struggle to retain staff and find skilled professionals. Ironically, the Polish Labour Ministry is seeing migrant workers as part of the solution and has opened up the job market to other EU and non-EU countries.

Most migrant workers come to Britain to support families back home and will regularly send a proportion of their pay packet to relatives. These donations are known as remittance. It is thought that the total amount of remittance received by developing countries is at least 79 billion US dollars a year. This is more than is given in aid and is seen as a means of alleviating poverty. Remittance though is not necessarily always viewed positively. Others argue that it is simply spent purchasing goods, which has an effect on inflation, and is not put to productive activities that could lead towards economic growth.

A BBC documentary has recently revealed the costs that some individuals can face by coming to the UK. Exposing unscrupulous employment practices, the show identified how migrant workers had been trafficked into Britain and exploited, described by some as “modern-day slavery". Evidence suggests that workers from European countries are being lured to Britain by deception, with false promises of good jobs, high salaries and a security of accommodation. When they arrive the jobs are bogus, the pay is on average a third of what a British citizen would receive and sometimes below the minimum wage. What’s more they are immediately in debt and are forced to pay for the provision of transport and over crowded and sub-standard living conditions through excessive loans and rent charges by way of a deduction from wages. An official inquiry is now being launched into the evidence gathered by the BBC.

The Government though was previously concerned with the rights of migrant workers. The Department for Trade and Industry with the aid of the Portuguese, Polish and Lithuanian Governments have already prepared information leaflets for their nationals. A one page flyer 'Working in the UK: Know your rights and where to get help and advice' is now also available in English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Slovakian. The Home Office will send a translated copy of this leaflet to all workers from Bulgaria and Romania who register to work in the UK.

The Government is currently consulting on to which appropriate groups to circulate this information, to ensure that the advice is distributed widely both abroad and in the UK. The “Success at Work - Consultation on measures to protect vulnerable agency workers” close at the end of May and also proposes a number of changes to the Conduct of Employment Regulations 2003. It is already an offence to make a job offer conditional on an agency worker paying for other services, such as transport or accommodation. However, as many migrant workers voluntarily take these services, one proposed amendment is to introduce new rights for agency workers to give notice to withdraw from these services and not to be subjected to any detriment as a result.

It is obvious that there are many sides to this issue from an economic, political and human rights angle. From an employment perspective migrant workers are entitled to the same rights as their British comparators. It may cost nothing to have a view on the matter, but flout the law and it is likely to cost you a pretty penny!