date: 24 October 2006

embargo: Immediate release

TUC on EU work restrictions

Commenting on Government plans announced today (Tuesday) to limit the right of Bulgarians and Romanians to work in the UK when their countries join the EU in January 2007, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's announcement runs the risk of having the opposite effect of that which is intended. This is because the UK Government cannot stop the free movement of new EU citizens, nor can it prevent them working as self-employed once they are here.

'Bogus self-employment and cash-in-hand jobs are two of the commonest ways that workers are exploited in the UK. Undercutting legal rights such as the minimum wage drives down wages and conditions for all workers, and leads to tax evasion by both workers and their bosses.

'The right response to EU enlargement is properly enforced rights that prevent the exploitation of anyone working in the UK, not measures that are more likely to increase the bad treatment of workers. While we welcome the recognition in today's statement that more should be done to crack down on rogue employers, they are neither broad nor effective enough to lift standards.'

Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07881 622416 ; E: bhurley@tuc.org.uk
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 24 Oct 2006