Find that job:Lesson 66. Are immigrant workers exploited in the UK?
According to recent reports, some employers in the UK do not pay immigrant workers the statutory minimum wage. There are three levels of minimum wage in the UK. Workers who are over 22 must receive over L5 an hour, those between 18 and 21 over L4 an hour, and those under 18 over L3 an hour. Are immigrant workers exploited and how widespread is the minimum wage abuse?
There have been repeated reports of immigrant workers in the UK being paid less than the minimum wage. Workers employed in fruit and veg picking, cleaning and catering services are most likely to be exploited. Some have to work longer hours for the same money or have their allowances or bills deducted from their pay, which takes them below the threshold. Some of them either don't know who to turn to or are too afraid to do anything about it in case they lose their job.
The figures show that the problem is quite widespread. Revenue and Customs, the government department responsible for enforcing the legislation has received 19,000 complaints from workers this year. The department, which has 16 teams of minimum wage investigators based around the country, has the power to bring criminal proceedings against offenders. It has also other powers; it can issue fines and enforcement notices. The great majority of employers agree to pay arrears without the need for further action. If they don't, they can be taken to court.
s Słownik:
immigrant worker - gastarbajter
to exploit - wykorzystywać, eksploatować
employer - pracodawca
to pay - płacić
statutory minimum wage - ustawowa stawka minimalna
level - poziom
to receive - otrzymywać
widespread - szeroko zakrojony, rozpowszechniony
abuse - tu: nadużycie/ łamanie prawa
fruit and veg picking - zbieranie owoców i warzyw
cleaning - sprzątanie
catering services - usługi kateringowe
likely - prawdopodobny
allowance - tu: ulga podatkowa
bill - rachunek
to deduct - odjąć, potrącić, odciągnąć
below the threshold - tu: poniżej progu płacowego
who to turn to - do kogo się zwrócić
to lose - stracić
job - praca
figures - tu: dane
Revenue and Customs - urząd skarbowy i urząd ceł
government department - ministerstwo/ departament rządowy
to enforce the legislation - wcielać/ wprowadzać w życie przepisy prawne
complaint - skarga, zażalenie
investigator - śledczy, oficer śledczy
power - tu: uprawnienia, kompetencje
to bring criminal proceedings - wytoczyć postępowanie karne
offender - sprawca wykroczenia
to issue fine - nakładać grzywnę
enforcement notice - powiadomienie o obowiązku prawnym pod groźbą wytoczenia postępowania sądowego
arrears - zaległości
to take to court - pozwać do sądu
jeadeithe