Scottish Parliament Committee hear evidence of employers who “take advantage” of migrant workers

Govanhill Law Centre’s submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Inquiry into Migration and Trafficking has been cited in the Parliament’s final report.

The Inquiry, held by the Equal Opportunities Committee last year, heard evidence from a large number of stakeholders including migrants, local authorities, the voluntary sector, police, academics, journalists, MSPs and the Crown Office. The innovative partnership working approach of the Hub in Govanhill was recognised by the Committee as an example of good practice.

The Inquiry heard evidence on the nature and extent of migration to Scotland and described the lack of migration data, public perceptions about migration and the influence of the media as “key overarching issues“.　 The Committee recognised key challenges in “improving awareness among migrants about public services, and their rights and entitlements“, “employment including exploitative employment practices“, health, education, housing, policing and enforcement.

Govanhill Law Centre Solicitor Lorraine Barrie said “we are pleased that the Committee have recognised the significant barriers many migrants experience when living and working in Scotland in terms of receiving advice and information about their rights and practical barriers to reporting exploitative employers. 　 We are also pleased that the partnership working approach of the Hub in Govanhill, which we are part of, has been recognised as an example of good practice“.  The full story can be read on Govanhill Law Centre's website here.

Scottish Parliament Committee hear evidence of employers who “take advantage” of migrant workers

Rogue landlords leaving new arrivals 'destitute'

The Evening Times reports that foreign workers are being lured to Glasgow with the promise of jobs and housing only to be left destitute, MSPs have been told.   Eastern Europeans are being charged hundreds of pounds by rogue agencies advertising in their countries, but end up unable to pay rent after they arrive.

The Scottish Parliament equal opportunities committee met in the City Chambers yesterday to discuss immigration and associated problems and heard some shocking examples of exploitation. Govanhill Law Centre told the committee it was dealing with more than 20 people from Czech Republic and Slovakia who became unable to support themselves.

The committee was told: “Local private landlords appear to have entered into informal arrangements with the agencies, allowing the agencies to act as ‘landlord’.

“When the workers are unable to pay their rent, the letting agent or owner of the property tend to harass and intimidate the workers. Several of the workers have been threatened with assault, they have had their gas and electricity cut off too.”

Rogue landlords leaving new arrivals 'destitute'

Estate agents exclude foreign workers

Estate agents are flouting race relations laws by discriminating against migrant workers, a BBC undercover investigation has found.

Firms in Lincolnshire, were found using illegal techniques to stop foreign workers viewing properties. Three agents rejected a Polish worker sent by the BBC, while a BBC employee was allowed to view the properties.

One firm denied it discriminated in this way, while another said it had created a new race-relations policy.

There is no suggestion that the agents themselves are racist, but the behaviour uncovered has been described by human rights lawyers as a "disturbing and shocking" breach of the Race Relations Act of 1976 - which applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

This act outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, religion, colour, religious beliefs, national or ethnic origins.

The BBC report with video is available here.

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Estate agents exclude foreign workers

Calls to extend Gangmasters Act

Gangmasters are still putting workers' lives at risk and abuse is rife on building sites, in hotels and care homes, Oxfam has warned.

Oxfam said migrant workers are being exploited by the individuals and agencies who organise the supply of labour to employers by paying them well below the minimum wage and failing to adhere to health and safety legislation.

Workers also face bullying, harassment and physical violence as the gangmasters move into poorly controlled sectors such as care homes, hospitality and construction, Oxfam's report said. Full story in The Herald. Oxfam's report: Turning the Tide.

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Calls to extend Gangmasters Act

Migrant workers contribute to public purse

Eastern European migrants who came to live and work in the UK in the last five years have made a positive contribution to the public purse, research has revealed.

The Polish, Czech and other arrivals who moved to the UK when the European Union expanded in 2004 have paid substantially more in taxes than they have received in benefits, the study by academics at University College London (UCL) found.

Official statistics show that between 2004 and 2008, more than 52,000 people came to Scotland from the new EU countries, including Lithuania and Estonia. The majority of immigrants from Eastern Europe came from Poland. Full report from The Herald.

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Migrant workers contribute to public purse