Vulnerable meat workers 'exploited'

Vulnerable meat workers 'exploited'

An official inquiry has uncovered widespread mistreatment and exploitation of migrant and agency workers in the meat and poultry processing sector. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) investigation found workers reported physical and verbal abuse and a lack of proper health and safety protection. The treatment of pregnant workers a particular concern, the EHRC found. The inquiry, which spoke to 260 workers, found physical and verbal abuse were not uncommon, with a fifth of workers interviewed reporting being pushed, kicked or having things thrown at them by line managers. Workers also reported being refused permission to take toilet breaks, and subsequently urinating or bleeding on themselves at the production line. A quarter of those interviewed said they had witnessed mistreatment of pregnant workers, such as the instant dismissal of agency workers who had announced they were pregnant. Pregnant women were also forced to continue to undertake work that posed risks to their health and safety, including heavy lifting and extended periods of standing. EHRC director general Neil Kinghan said: 'While most supermarkets are carrying out audits of their suppliers, our evidence shows that these audits are not safeguarding workers and they clearly need to take steps to improve them. The processing firms themselves and the agencies supplying their workers also need to pay more than lip service to ensuring that workers are not subjected to unlawful and unethical treatment.' He added: 'If the situation does not improve over the next twelve months, the Commission will consider using its regulatory powers to enforce change where necessary.' Unite deputy general secretary Jack Dromey commented: 'Britain's supermarkets should hang their heads in shame.' He added: 'Supermarkets have driven down costs along their supply chain with tens of thousands of workers paying the price, suffering discrimination and unfair treatment.'

EHRC news release and report [pdf]. Unite news release. The Guardian. BBC News Online.