‘Target rogue bosses’ premier is urged by MP

Feb 21 2008

A HAMILTON MP quizzed Prime Minister Gordon Brown over protecting workers from rogue employers.

Jimmy Hood, the MP for Lanark and Hamilton East, reminded Mr Brown at last week’s Prime Minister questions that his government has “still much to do” in dealing with institutionalised poverty.

Mr. Hood also raised the issue of protecting low paid workers being exploited by rogue employers and the need to protect agency workers.

Mr Hood said: “Does he (Prime Minister) agree that there is still much to do, particularly to protect people in the workplace from rogue employers who criminally exploit agency workers by paying them less than the minimum wage and by hiring and firing in breach of the law?”

In reply, the Prime Minister said: “That is why we are looking to see how we can progress the agency workers’ directive and why we created a vulnerable workers forum to examine the problems faced by people in some of the lowest paid jobs in the country.

“I must also remind my honourable friend that the biggest single measure that we have taken to protect vulnerable workers — the creation of a minimum wage — was opposed by the Conservative party.”