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Post by justjohn on Aug 22, 2007 4:52:22 GMT -7
Some migrant workers in Scotland are being treated like "modern day slaves", according to campaigners. Sue Smith, who campaigns for migrant workers in Arbroath, said promises of good accommodation and pay quickly disappear when they arrive in Scotland. Two Polish workers told BBC Scotland that after two weeks of labour they actually owed the farmer money. Ms Smith has urged politicians to act to improve the conditions for migrant workers. She started campaigning to improve conditions for migrant workers in Arbroath after the murder of a Czech man by a drug addict. Ms Smith said she has gathered images and accounts of working conditions for the many Eastern European people who have come to Scotland to work on farms. Story from BBC NE
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Post by leslie on Aug 22, 2007 6:52:54 GMT -7
John I have no reason to doubt this account at all, as we have had other similar sorts of account in England where accommodation has been charged to such an extent that not only do they not get any money but they are told they owe some!! I am glad that these workers are speaking up because when facts are known something can be done about it - for example, we have a minimum wage agreement that applies to everybody. But as you will know, unscrupulous employers have ways of getting round laws, although various government agencies also have ways of being tough!! The world will be a better place when people stop exploiting other people, so I'm not sure the world will be a better place in my lifetime!!! Migrants are looked upon as easy prey apparently, not only by these unscrupulous employers in UK but in Germany, France (and I am sure there are one or two in Poland!). But the more that comes to light the more that can be done about it - so anyone who feels they are being taken for a ride should shout out about it. Leslie
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Post by bescheid on Aug 22, 2007 7:50:52 GMT -7
J.J.
This has the sound of a deplorable situation of greed and cruelty. I may only assume this is a farm work/harvest situation.
I am not sure of the labour laws of Scotland or of a minimum wage law and/or to what sector of work position would or if covered. For for that matter, the conditions these workers are working under, if perhaps as illegals.
Germany has not a minimum wage. For it is to the unions to set the wages for each job classification. The minimum wage question has been brought forward on different occasions, and brought down on each proposal. For once the situation is studied, it is only each occasion, discovered that working people actually would lose wages with a minimum wage law.
But with Scotland, I have very little idea of their situation as I know precious little of Scotland.
Charles
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Post by leslie on Aug 22, 2007 8:18:45 GMT -7
John/Charles Just to clarify - the Minimum Wage Agreement relates to the whole of the UK and to every work sector. I too do not know whether Scotland has any different employment laws, but from what I remember I have heard, the laws on employment matters again relate to the whole of the UK. Leslie
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Post by bescheid on Aug 22, 2007 8:46:00 GMT -7
John/Charles Just to clarify - the Minimum Wage Agreement relates to the whole of the UK and to every work sector. I too do not know whether Scotland has any different employment laws, but from what I remember I have heard, the laws on employment matters again relate to the whole of the UK. Leslie Thank you leslie for the clarification. For I was not sure if the UK stood alone or if Ireland/Scottland shared also the same wage structure. On your guest worker programmes. Are the wage/salary deductions taken out at the same rate as of the British nationals? Do the farm labour employers take out also the wage deductions out of their guest workers salary? I am just curious. Charles
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Post by leslie on Aug 22, 2007 11:31:18 GMT -7
Sorry Charles, I don't know the official answer to your questions, but as far as I know, in the same way that everybody rents property at the rate asked by the owner, if the farmer provides accommodation/food, he is entitled to ask for whatever he likes. This is probably the basis for all the grounds of contention. But any deductions will normally be quoted when the farmer offers employment - which the worker can refuse, and go elsewhere!!! I do know these things happen also to non-migrant workers, usually casual/seasonal workers. The same applies in other industries, for example mussel fishing in Morecambe Bay, where about a year or so ago there was a big accident when quite a lot of the mussel-gatherers died when the tide came in very fast and caught them out. I agree with John that they seem to be 'modern day slaves' but at least if they are not satisfied they, unlike slaves, can go elsewhere to try to better their conditions. Leslie
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Post by bescheid on Aug 22, 2007 12:29:41 GMT -7
Thank you Leslie
For it was very unfair of my question to ask. I understand your message though. For these people do have the freedom to pick up, leave for a better situation.
It is the act of {Freedom} that is the difference.
Thank you again
Charles
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Pawian
European
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Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Aug 26, 2007 0:05:35 GMT -7
I agree with John that they seem to be 'modern day slaves' but at least if they are not satisfied they, unlike slaves, can go elsewhere to try to better their conditions. Leslie Sometimes they can`t, like in slave labour camps in Italy or recently in Spain. Those camps were controlled by mafia and a dozen or so people were killed for different "offences," including a wish to leave. Currently the Italian police are exhuming the bodies.
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Pawian
European
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Posts: 3,266
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Post by Pawian on Aug 26, 2007 0:10:42 GMT -7
Migrants are looked upon as easy prey apparently, not only by these unscrupulous employers in UK but in Germany, France (and I am sure there are one or two in Poland!). But the more that comes to light the more that can be done about it - so anyone who feels they are being taken for a ride should shout out about it.Leslie 2 or 3 days ago they reported that about 30 Polish construction workers in France didn`t get their payment for 3 months. They had been employed by a rogue French businessman who violated other laws too and now is behind bars. Those businessmen usually expect that a wronged worker won`t complain to the authorities because: 1. They might think it is a waste of time and the sum of money owed to them is too low to fight for it.. 2. They don`t know the language and procedures. 3. They worked illegally.
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