Unite, the union for construction workers, is demanding legislation to regulate gangmasters who exploit migrant workers in the UK building industry.

Crooked gangmasters are avoiding regulation by moving into the construction industry from the agriculture and food sectors.

The government introduced the Gangmasters' Licensing Authority in 2004, after the Morecambe Bay disaster, which saw a number of Chinese workers drown, but this only covers certain sectors. Labour MP, Jim Sheridan's proposal would embrace construction, which is strongly backed by Unite and other unions.

Unite has unearthed a growing list of abuses of migrant labour in the UK construction industry. The vast majority of abused workers have been supplied by agencies in countries with lower wage economies. Not only do these workers get paid below the agreed rate of pay for trade, they also suffer disproportionate deductions from their wages as well as poor health and safety regulations.

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Illegal gangmasters are supplying unskilled labour to major construction companies and their subcontractors to carry out skilled and dangerous work without taking into consideration the safety consequences.

Bob Blackman, Unite National Officer for Construction, said: "We are all fully aware of the dangerous environment that our members in the construction industry face. Migrant workers who come to this country for legitimate work are often lured into the twilight world of illegal gangmasters.

"We must focus on the real villains in this case and that is the gangmasters. Unite has found that those who have suffered under the once poor agricultural working conditions are now experiencing the same problems in the construction industry.

"Health and safety is essential to those in the building trade and our members have the fundamental right to return safe after a days work.

"Unite fully support Jim Sheridan's Bill to see gangmaster licensing legislation extended to the construction industry."

(CD/JM)