There has been an increasing focus on migrant labour in the press in previous weeks. This has been on the back of various studies into the numbers of migrant labourers in the UK. These stories will continue as the UK is due to decide whether to open our labour markets to Romania and Bulgaria later in the month.

These two countries are due to join the EU on 1st January 2007. The REC is keen to ensure that the benefits to the economy of migrant labour are recognised. In the meantime a large number of public bodies and trade unions are looking into the ‘exploitation’ of migrant workers. This perceived ‘exploitation’ has yet to be quantified, however the REC is working with, among others, the DTI and the Welsh Assembly Government to correctly tackle rogue employers and agencies.

Source: Recruitment Employment Confederation