We must do more to protect migrant workers

Published on Friday 30 May 2008 22:43

ON THE evening of 5 February, 2004, at about 9:30 in the evening a team of Chinese migrant workers were collecting cockles on Morecambe Bay when they were cut off by the incoming tide. A total of 21 bodies, of men and women between the ages of 18 and 45, were recovered – another two were never found. The workers were all illegal immigrants recruited by a gangmaster who had not alerted them to the dangers of the incoming tide.

This terrible incident led to the passing of the Gangmasters Act 2004, designed to curb the exploitation of workers in agriculture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging. This legislation was a step forward. But, as The Scotsman reveals today in an investigation, the exploitation of migrant workers is far from at an end.

Of course, most gangmasters and the vast majority of farmers do not misuse their migrant workers. But cases are all too frequent. In January, a licensed gangmaster was fined 2,000 at Dumfries Sheriff Court for failing to check the time of tides before sending out cocklers in the Solway Firth.

In April, another gangmaster was convicted at Forfar Sheriff Court of operating without a licence – the first conviction of its kind. At the beginning of May, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority revoked the licence of a company that employed 200 mainly Polish workers picking flowers in Scotland after an investigation uncovered problems including low pay.

It is possible to interpret such cases as the law working effectively to police gangmasters. However, the fact that such abuses are continuing four years after the deaths of the 23 Chinese cockle-pickers in Morecambe Bay must give cause for concern. In addition, in the case of that first prosecution mentioned, the sentence was only 18 months' probation and 140 hours of community service. One is entitled to ask if that is a sufficient deterrent.

There is a strong case for revisiting the original Gangmasters Act. While the penalty for operating as a labour provider without a valid licence can be up to ten years in prison, users of such labour face only six months or a fine. Why not curb the demand by cracking down on those who buy the labour? Also, there is a case for extending the act to cover the building trade.

Last year Petr Adamnik, from the Czech Republic, died when fire swept through caravans at an Arbroath farm, where a number of migrant workers were employed. This led Angus Council to inspect 21 sites housing nearly 2,000 migrant workers. It also led officers such as Colin Shepherd, of the Tayside Fire Service, to demand more rigorous control of the conditions in which migrant workers are housed. This lead should be supported by the Scottish Government.

Scotland prides itself in welcoming immigrants. But that pride is misplaced unless we ensure migrant workers – who do many necessary jobs the rest of us avoid – are treated with the respect they deserve.

Gone fishing… to catch everything

WE HAVE all heard the story of the 'one that got away'. However, in the case of one British fishing enthusiast it seems that none of them escaped the rod and line. Zyg Gregorek has just spent the past 18 years chasing the 'Holy Grail' of the fishing fraternity – a full house of so-called 'Royal Slams'. This involves landing nine species of shark, ten species of billfish and eight species of tuna.

The problem is that all these fish swim in different seas of the world, so Mr Gregorek had to travel over 150,000 miles on his quest, including Mauritius, the Galapagos Islands, Ascension Island and Mozambique. He has just landed his final fish: a 200lb thresher shark – a monster that has eluded him for years. He is the first man ever to complete all three grand slams. As a result, he is now – officially – "the world's greatest fisherman". On salt water at least.

Some might criticise Mr Gregorek for his obsession with big fish at a time when the world's oceans are in trouble. But there are worse hobbies in the world and his perseverance deserves credit. Besides, where would the world be without a little harmless eccentricity. Mr Gregorek is also known for raising money for local schools (as well as fishing). He raises the money by hosting a firework night and auctioning off a guy (of himself). Sadly, he only serves hamburgers and hot dogs at these events, not sharks, billfish or even tuna.

GPs need to be flexible

DESPITE protracted wrangling and 9.5 million of extra funding, most GPs in Scotland are still reluctant to open their surgeries during evenings and weekends.

Under the plans, GPs have to work an extra 30 minutes a week outside normal hours for every 1,000 registered patients. Approximately 170 practices out of around 1,000 in Scotland have said they will offer appointments in the evenings and weekends. A further 200 have expressed interest without making a firm commitment. The Scottish Government yesterday called the response to date "encouraging". But it will be a disappointment to many patients and particularly those whose own occupations require a measure of evening and weekend working.

Why should doctors feel themselves exempt? They say there has been a lack of negotiation over the proposals. Others say it is not practical to provide the extra hours. Last year, NHS Highland had to resort to calling in doctors from Germany and Malta – an expensive solution. The 2004 contract enabling the opt-out was designed to stem the wholesale loss of staff from general practice because of anti- social working conditions and to encourage recruitment. No-one expects indi- vidual GPs to work unsocial hours permanently. But a "9-to-5" care service is not an option. GPs need to be flexible.