Construction union UCATT have welcomed key commitments in Labour's manifesto, which will dramatically help to reduce exploitation and unfairness in the construction industry.

Of greatest significance is Labour's commitment to extend the Gangmasters Licensing Act to the construction industry. This will dramatically reduce exploitation and the threat of wage rates being undercut.

In recent years there has been a huge increase in Gangmasters and Employment Agencies operating in the construction industry, leading to high levels of exploitation. In the worst case uncovered by UCATT, workers on a hospital site in Mansfield were being paid just £8.80 a week.

-- Advertisement --

In the manifesto A Future Fair For All; Labour says: "We will extend the licensing approach to labour providers in the construction industry if the evidence shows that is the best way to enforce employment rights." Labour has also committed to a crackdown on exploitive Gangmasters.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT said: "The commitment on Gangmasters is a vital step forward. It will reduce exploitation, protect wage rates and improve safety on sites. Labour is on the side of construction workers."

Construction employers have previously wrongly claimed that extending the Gangmasters Act to construction would be expensive. However research by UCATT revealed that licensing would cost Gangmasters as little as 0.055% of turnover.

Labour has also given a significant boost to increasing apprentice numbers in the construction industry, with a commitment that by 2013 all suitably qualified 18-20 year olds who wish to undertake an apprenticeship will be given a place.

(CD/GK)