BCC works with director of LME to fight worker exploitation

The British Cleaning Council (BCC) has held a virtual meeting with the director of Labour Market Enforcement (LME), as part of its drive to ensure the voice of the cleaning and hygiene sector is heard at the highest levels.

The BCC wants to work with Matthew Taylor to ensure any remote or remaining concerns on modern slavery, pay below the minimum wage and worker exploitation continues to be prevented within the industry. As a result of the meeting, Taylor has agreed to organise a workshop for the sector later in the year, to advise as to how the LME intend to look into worker exploitation in the sector and non-compliance with the law and how these issues can be addressed.

BCC deputy chairman, Jim Melvin (pictured with BCC chairman, Paul Thrupp), said: “It was a very useful discussion with Mr Taylor, which helped raise the profile of the cleaning and hygiene sector within Government and ensure it is better understood. Our membership of reputable and responsible businesses has always been concerned about any risk of worker exploitation and the payment of illegally low wages within our industry. We continue to promote the undoubted professionalism and high standards within the industry whilst also wanting to prevent workers in the cleaning and hygiene sector being exploited. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to discuss the industry to Mr Taylor and his team and we look forward to working with him in the future to assist in the removal of any of these practices. In the meantime, the BCC would strongly encourage anyone with concerns about worker exploitation in our sector to report it.”

For details of how to complain about not being paid the National Minimum Wage, employment agencies, gangmasters or working hours, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints