date: Tuesday 23 October 2007
embargo: 00.01 Thursday 25 October
TUC launches website to support Polish workforce in the UK
The TUC today (Thursday) launches a new Polish website to support the increasing number of Polish workers in the UK. The website http://www.pracawbrytanii.org - run by the TUC in partnership with Citizens Advice and Solidarnosc - explains the rights workers can expect at work, from the minimum wage and working time to holiday entitlement and sick pay; information about social issues such as housing and health; and guidance about what living and working in the UK is really like.
Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, thousands of Polish workers have come to the UK to make their living, and 222,760 Poles (see notes for regional breakdown) registered for National Insurance numbers in 2006-7. Sadly many of these workers have fallen prey to unscrupulous employers and have been forced to work long hours for little pay, in unsafe workplaces with very few employment rights.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Polish workers are making a substantial contribution to Britain's economy, and sectors like agriculture and construction would struggle without their valuable contribution.
'However, some rogue employers are taking advantage of this new, vulnerable workforce, and exploiting their lack of understanding of British working culture and problems with language.
'It is clear Polish workers need help both to understand and also secure their rights. By using this new website and working with unions, advice agencies and other similar organisations, migrant workers can get all the support and protection from crooked employers they are entitled to.'
The website is supported by a guide 'Living and working in the UK: Your rights', written jointly by the TUC and the Citizens Advice service. The guide gives useful advice and tips for new arrivals on living in the UK, and focuses on issues that might cause problems at work. The guide is available in English, and copies in Polish will be available shortly.
There are sections on: housing, council tax, TV licences, energy suppliers, as well as advice on how to access healthcare, open a bank account and find a suitable school. The work part of the guide covers national insurance and tax, the minimum wage, holidays, agency workers, and health and safety. The final pages contain a useful list of contacts that should prove invaluable to new arrivals.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- 'Living and working in the UK: Your rights' can be found at: http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/workingintheuk.pdf
- National Insurance Number Registrations in respect of non-UK Nationals in 2006/07 by Government Office Region and country of origin:
|
Government Office Region |
Number of Polish workers |
Total overseas workers |
|
North East |
4,120 |
13,270 |
|
North West |
20,190 |
51,550 |
|
Yorkshire and the Humber |
16,390 |
41,640 |
|
East Midlands |
18,190 |
41,000 |
|
West Midlands |
18,600 |
48,000 |
|
East of England |
19,840 |
53,370 |
|
London |
43,420 |
244,090 |
|
South East |
24,400 |
80,130 |
|
South West |
17,560 |
41,710 |
|
Wales |
6,780 |
17,020 |
- The TUC has set up a Commission on Vulnerable Employment to investigate the extent of workplace exploitation in the UK. For more information please visit or to report your story please visit: www.vulnerableworkers.org.uk
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Register for the TUC's press extranet : a service exclusive to journalists wanting to access pre-embargo releases and reports from the TUC. Visit www.tuc.org.uk/pressextranet
Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk
Press release (600 words) issued 25 Oct 2007
