The tribunal backed their claims that they had unexplained deductions, amounting to nearly £18,000 each, taken from their wages unlawfully.
The GMB union, representing the 14, said that the case highlighted the exploitation of migrant workers on UK construction sites. It said that there were a further 70-plus migrant workers on the same job who were not union members and have had no redress for having their wages deducted.
GMB officers found that sums on pay slips bore no relation to the money going into the workers’ bank accounts.
The union successfully pursued a claim for £251,204.81 at the employment tribunal in Cardiff on behalf of 14 Polish migrant workers who were employed as laggers by thermal insulation subcontractor Darmar in the construction of Uskmouth Power Station in South Wales in 2010.
GMB saw documentation that showed that the Polish workers were £1200 a month out of pocket. They had not been paid the 19 hours a week overtime that they were due, they had had no periodic leave payments or travel allowance for seven months, and they were deducted one days lodging allowance every week.
Jeff Beck, GMB regional officer who represented these workers, said: “These Polish migrant workers suffered exploitation at the hands of their employer who made unlawful deductions from their wages and allowances due to them. GMB took up a claim for them at the Cardiff employment tribunal.
“As a consequence the tribunal judge made an order against Darmar for compensation for the unlawful deductions and injury to their feelings which totalled 251,204.81.
“This is a prime example of the exploitation of migrant workers which the GMB will not tolerate and will expose at every opportunity. Hopefully this award will send a loud and clear message to any unscrupulous employers contemplating the same.”
Phil Whitehurst, GMB lead organiser for engineering construction, added: “Uskmouth is living proof that exploitation of migrant workers is taking place on major UK engineering construction projects.
“Uskmouth was a Category 1 NAECI site with an independent auditor but the exploitation of these migrants by Darmar still went on unnoticed by them and the principal contactor Siemens.”
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