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Fri March 29 2024

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Inspectors swoop on employment agencies

19 Nov 10 An enforcement campaign by inspectors from the Employment Agency Standards last month has resulted in 39 construction workers receiving pay that had been withheld from them.

A total of 58 construction employment agencies were visited in England, Scotland and Wales during October. EAS inspectors identified two that had failed to pay nearly £30,000 to a total of 39 workers for the hours that they had worked. EAS secured payment for the workers and are now considering legal action against the agencies involved.

On average, EAS found 6 infringements of the Employment Agencies & Employment Businesses Regulations 2003 at each agency, although the majority of these were described as “low risk paper infringements”. Inspectors offered advice and guidance where non-compliance was found and agencies were given warning letters and three weeks to amend their business practices.

Edward Davey, the Minister responsible for employment relations at Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “I am delighted to see the successful results of the EAS’ recent operation. A vibrant and well-run private recruitment sector is a vital part of this country’s economy. I am determined to see employment businesses complying with the law in the construction sector and elsewhere.”

Using the information gained during this operation EAS will be issuing further guidance for this sector to support business and raise levels of compliance.

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