TUC publishes guide to help migrant workers stay safe
July 4th 2007

Problems with language and a poor understanding of the culture in British workplaces means that migrant workers may need extra help from employers and unions to stay safe at work, the TUC has said.

In the new guide, Safety and migrant workers the TUC warns that some rogue employers are likely to be cutting corners and risking the health of their migrant workforce.

Safety and migrant workers says that many migrant workers are more vulnerable than UK workers to illness, injuries or even death at work due to a combination of a lack of safety training, non-existent or inadequate safety clothing and equipment, and poor English skills.

The guide for employers and unions says that the long hours worked by many migrant workers mean many risk accidents due to overtiredness, are denied sick pay so come into work when they are too ill to do so, and a lack of fluent English prevents many from grasping basic safety procedures at work.

“Employers should be doing more to keep all their employees safe and well, wherever they come from. And in workforces with many migrant workers, where language difficulties pose potential problems, bosses need to make that extra effort to ensure everyone knows how to stay safe at work," comments TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

“The Government must stump up more money so that unscrupulous employers who flout the law are brought into line. Too often migrant workers face huge risks to their health, safety and welfare simply because their employers fail to carry out sufficient safety checks. Not providing protective equipment, failing to offer training, ignoring working time rules and paying illegal poverty wages is sadly an all too common experience for many workers who come to the UK.

“The average employer receives a visit from a safety inspector once every 12–20 years and many small employers will never be inspected. Tragically, we are more likely to hear a report of a migrant worker being killed or injured than of an employer being prosecuted for failing to meet their safety obligations.”

The TUC recommends employers and unions work closely with migrant and UK workers to carry out thorough risk assessments and follow formal accident and injury reporting procedures. Workers need access to first aid, fire safety plans need to be in place, and all workers must have free, suitable, protective clothing and know how to use it.

The guide is published on the day members of the TUC’s Commission on Vulnerable Employment meet with exploited workers in Cardiff - including migrant workers, homeworkers, refugees, asylum seekers and disabled workers – to hear about their experiences of unsafe working in the UK.

Commission members will meet with Andrew Davies AM, the Welsh Minister for Social Justice and Public Service Delivery, then with migrant workers and organisations such as the South East Wales Race Equality Council and Race Equality First that have provided support and education for them.

For further information, just  click here.

More articles from TUC: