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date: 24 March 2006

embargo: For immediate release

TUC on Morecambe Bay verdict

Commenting on the conviction today (Friday) of gangmaster Lin Liang Ren for the manslaughter of the Chinese cockle pickers who died in Morecambe Bay in February 2004, TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber said:

"Today's verdict should come as a warning to employers with no regard for the safety of the people who work for them. The new gangmaster regulations which come into force soon should make it more difficult, though not impossible, for bosses intent on exploitation to continue to get away with such reckless treatment of workers.

"But there is a danger that rogue operators will simply move into sectors of the economy that won't be covered by the new gangmaster regulations. Vulnerable workers need better protection, and combined with stricter controls over gangmasters, we need greater enforcement of UK safety law. With so few safety inspectors out and about checking up on employers, it's still all too easy for a negligent boss to commit a safety crime and get away with it."

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- 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: Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248; M: 07778 158175; E: media@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 24 Mar 2006