Alan Johnson MP

22 September 2009

 

Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills Pat McFadden MP today launched a new helpline for vulnerable workers enabling them to seek advice about their workplace rights and report abuses of those rights.

 

The new Pay and Work Rights helpline: 0800 917 2368 is part of a wider campaign to raise awareness of workplace rights introduced by the Labour Government. It will provide a unified point of contact for both employers and workers.

 

This new service has been developed in cooperation with employers, trade unions and the different enforcement agencies across Government.

 

The employment rights, all brought in to being under this Labour Government in question are:

 

• National Minimum Wage
• Agricultural Minimum Wage
• Working Time (48 hour average working week)
• Employment agency standards
• Gangmaster licensing

 Previously calls on each of these rights were taken by five separate Government bodies. Workers can now report abuses of these rights to one point of contact that can address multiple complaints.

 

The launch of the single helpline comes as a new poll showed that nearly half of people (48 per cent) wrongly thought employment agencies can charge workers a fee for finding them a job.

 

The helpline is based in Manchester and staffed by specialist, trained advisors able to offer help and advice. Information is then passed to the relevant enforcement body to take further action where appropriate.