Agenda item

The Chair of the task group submits a report examining worker exploitation in Leicester. The Commission will be asked to note the report and support the recommendations set out in section 1.3 of the report.

The Chair submitted a report examining worker exploitation in Leicester. The Commission was asked to note the report and support the recommendations set out in section 1.3 of the report.

Professor Nik Hammer of the University of Leicester, who had provided key research and analysis on the task group, summarised the report and recommendations.  And presented slides (attached).  Additional key points included:

• Two appendices included in the agenda pack were redacted, due to potential political sensitives and ongoing criminal investigations.
• Exploitation was experienced on a nationwide scale, on a spectrum and in a range of jobs.
• There was a national debate surrounding the enforcement gap.
• Violation tracking was problematic, due to the complex reasons as to why those affected would not necessarily report issues. Robust intelligence work was vital in avoiding further marginalisation of vulnerable groups.
• Significant recruitment problems presented within the Social Care sector relating to language barriers and the difficulty this presented in training and upskilling. Partnerships with social care providers could be useful, similar to the Salford and UNISON North-West migrant social care worker charter.
• The Gig Economy shaped conditions for workers such as taxi drivers and food delivery drivers. Companies were often based outside of the locality, so partnerships between Local Authorities and other national agencies would be vital to maintain standards.
• There were some areas where local authorities had an influence on procurement and licencing. Problems arose though due to a lack of capacity for due diligence, for both the contractor and the commissioner.
• Social issues interlinked with matters of worker exploitation. For example, housing issues arose due to low-paid workers being unable to afford high rents. Home Office investigations into migrant working in Bristol had noted caravan dwelling and poor living conditions.
• Fair Work Wales and Fair Work Scotland had developed frameworks using procurement to strengthen labour standards.

In response to questions from the committee, it was noted that:

• Labour standards enforcement and immigration enforcement needed to be dealt with as separate matters as accessing and supporting vulnerable workers would become even more difficult if they suspected full immigration scrutiny.
• Vital trust building with marginalised groups could be established via trade unions and community groups. Learning could be taken from the FAB-L approach, which was specific to the garment industry, but could be applied more widely. 
• Conflicts of interest arose with enforcement action, which could lead to difficulties in gathering information.

AGREED:

1) That the report be noted.

2) That the report be presented to the Executive and the response from

the Executive be brough back to the Commission.

3) That the report be shared with local MPs, including The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.