28 May 2009

We are proud to announce our sponsorship of the ECCR's latest research report - "Vulnerable Migrant Workers: The Responsibility of Business". The report reveals the vulnerability of migrant workers in areas of the domestic economy where low-skilled flexible labour is concentrated.

The report was launched on Thursday 28 May 2009, at our London offices. Mark Mansley from Rathbone Greenbank Investments chaired a panel of speakers including Antonia Bance of Oxfam, Sunniva Taylor of the ECCR and Paul Whitehouse, chair of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).

We heard how companies in the relevant sectors often fail to recognise the specific vulnerabilities suffered by migrant worker and also of the risks of not properly managing supply chains. The panel discussed the likely impact of the recession on movements of migrant workers and their treatment within the UK.

Finally, we learned how the GLA’s work represents a major ‘win-win’ – not only are vulnerable migrant workers protected from exploitation, but as most of the ill-treatment concerns overcharging for deductions by fraudulent employers, the GLA moves such employers into the formal economy, ensuring relevant taxes are paid. The GLA estimates to have paid for itself from addition revenues brought in to HM Customs.

Rathbone Greenbank and the ECCR have partnered successfully for many years and researcher Matt Crossman currently acts as an ECCR board member. A pdf version of the report can be downloaded from the following link.