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400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights

Construction union Ucatt accused the government today of allowing firms to ignore employment rules for 400,000 workers at a cost of £2 billion to the taxpayer.

The union said the firms register workers as self-employed rather than as employees of the company, despite them having the same responsibilities and fixed hours as full-time employees.

This means that bosses pay no national insurance, make no pension contributions and "self-employed" workers get no holiday or sick pay.

Ucatt said the workers have little choice but to accept the situation because work is offered on a "take it or leave it" basis.

The union estimated that 400,000 workers in the construction industry are affected, at a cost of £1.9bn to the taxpayer.

Some workers have worked for the same employer, full-time, for five years or more - but are registered by the employers as self-employed.

Labour brought in new regulations in 2007 under the Construction Industry Scheme that meant construction firms found to be falsely registering workers as self-employed could be prosecuted and fined.

Ucatt has asked how many firms have been fined but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) refused to release any information.

It even refused to reveal if any firms at all have been fined for falsely registering employees.

Questions from MPs have also drawn a blank.

When Labour MP Natascha Engel asked a question on the issue she was told that the information wasn't available and would be costly to provide.

Ucatt general secretary Steve Murphy said: "Once again it is clear that CIS is not fit for purpose.

"It would seem that companies can wilfully ignore the rules on employment status without penalty and HMRC is not pursuing them.

"False self-employment in construction is endemic in the industry yet HMRC is not taking the issue seriously.

"If the HMRC can't answer how many fines it has issued how on Earth can they hope to chase companies ignoring the rules on employment status."

Author:	captain cab [ Wed Mar 20, 2013 10:29 pm ]
Post subject:	400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights
400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights Construction union Ucatt accused the government today of allowing firms to ignore employment rules for 400,000 workers at a cost of £2 billion to the taxpayer. The union said the firms register workers as self-employed rather than as employees of the company, despite them having the same responsibilities and fixed hours as full-time employees. This means that bosses pay no national insurance, make no pension contributions and "self-employed" workers get no holiday or sick pay. Ucatt said the workers have little choice but to accept the situation because work is offered on a "take it or leave it" basis. The union estimated that 400,000 workers in the construction industry are affected, at a cost of £1.9bn to the taxpayer. Some workers have worked for the same employer, full-time, for five years or more - but are registered by the employers as self-employed. Labour brought in new regulations in 2007 under the Construction Industry Scheme that meant construction firms found to be falsely registering workers as self-employed could be prosecuted and fined. Ucatt has asked how many firms have been fined but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) refused to release any information. It even refused to reveal if any firms at all have been fined for falsely registering employees. Questions from MPs have also drawn a blank. When Labour MP Natascha Engel asked a question on the issue she was told that the information wasn't available and would be costly to provide. Ucatt general secretary Steve Murphy said: "Once again it is clear that CIS is not fit for purpose. "It would seem that companies can wilfully ignore the rules on employment status without penalty and HMRC is not pursuing them. "False self-employment in construction is endemic in the industry yet HMRC is not taking the issue seriously. "If the HMRC can't answer how many fines it has issued how on Earth can they hope to chase companies ignoring the rules on employment status."

Author:	skippy41 [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 12:43 am ]
Post subject:	Re: 400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights
Not unlike the taxi PH industry then

Author:	trotskys twin [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:05 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights
skippy41 wrote: Not unlike the taxi PH industry then Skippy fekk me your right of course BOGUS SELF EMPLOYMENT is rife in Hack PH and Chauffeur sectors, been on about it for years

Author:	trotskys twin [ Thu Mar 21, 2013 1:06 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: 400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights
captain cab wrote: 400,000 workers 'missing out' on employment rights Construction union Ucatt accused the government today of allowing firms to ignore employment rules for 400,000 workers at a cost of £2 billion to the taxpayer. The union said the firms register workers as self-employed rather than as employees of the company, despite them having the same responsibilities and fixed hours as full-time employees. This means that bosses pay no national insurance, make no pension contributions and "self-employed" workers get no holiday or sick pay. Ucatt said the workers have little choice but to accept the situation because work is offered on a "take it or leave it" basis. The union estimated that 400,000 workers in the construction industry are affected, at a cost of £1.9bn to the taxpayer. Some workers have worked for the same employer, full-time, for five years or more - but are registered by the employers as self-employed. Labour brought in new regulations in 2007 under the Construction Industry Scheme that meant construction firms found to be falsely registering workers as self-employed could be prosecuted and fined. Ucatt has asked how many firms have been fined but HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) refused to release any information. It even refused to reveal if any firms at all have been fined for falsely registering employees. Questions from MPs have also drawn a blank. When Labour MP Natascha Engel asked a question on the issue she was told that the information wasn't available and would be costly to provide. Ucatt general secretary Steve Murphy said: "Once again it is clear that CIS is not fit for purpose. "It would seem that companies can wilfully ignore the rules on employment status without penalty and HMRC is not pursuing them. "False self-employment in construction is endemic in the industry yet HMRC is not taking the issue seriously. "If the HMRC can't answer how many fines it has issued how on Earth can they hope to chase companies ignoring the rules on employment status." I wonder if theres any connection between these construction companies and the Tory Party McAlpine ??????????

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