Foreign workers in the labour market

The project focuses on the opening of a public debate and the resolution of the taboo topic of occupational safety of foreigners (job-related injuries, occupational diseases), as well as the reinforcement of equal rights for foreigners at the labour market, by developing international cooperation in this area via a thematic network.

Another aim is the improvement of structural tools leading towards better protection of foreign workers. The project finds inspiration abroad, with our partners in the United Kingdom and Germany, where they have experience with illegal employment of foreign workers, but they can also appreciate Czech input.

Therefore, Czech non-profit organisations have joined forces with foreign partners and they hope to create a functional thematic network. Via this network they would like to address and include key players and experts from the Czech Republic as well as other EU countries, in an effort to improve the condition of foreigners in the labour market. For this reason, a partnership has been created with the German Caritasverband für die Diezöse Osnabrück and the British Anti-Slavery International, respected organisations with ample experience concerning foreign employment and occupational safety of foreigners.

Occupational safety of foreigners is a relatively neglected topic in the Czech Republic; therefore it will be presented to the public through a specialised publication, case studies from fieldwork, an Internet platform, or a handbook for foreigners and helping professions. Public debates, international internships, seminars and international conferences will be just as important. The partnered organisations hope to create space suitable for social discussion of equal rights for foreigners. The results of this joint initiative of the non-profit sector will be made available to state administration, politicians, unions and other entities that can influence Czech legislation and migration policy. Another part of the project will be the promotion of foreigners’ individual rights in the labour market with the help of experience gain abroad. A special emphasis will be placed on female foreigners, who face conditions even worse than men.

Partners:

Association for Integration and Migration (coordinator of the project)
Organization for Aid to Refugees
Caritasverband für die Diezöse Osnabrück (Germany)
Anti-Slavery International (Great Britain)

Duration of the project: 10/2012 – 9/2014

This project is supported by the European Social Fund in the Czech Republic via the OP LZZ program.

Project outputs:

Experiences of Forced Labour in the UK Food Industry (2012)

28. 3. 13

This report looks at evidence of exploitation and forced labour in sectors within the UK food industry. It draws upon in-depth testimonies from 62 migrant workers mainly originating from the EU and China. Three sub-sectors of the food industry are represented in the study: agriculture, food processing and minority ethnic catering.

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Modern Slavery in the United Kingdom (a review, 2007)

13. 3. 13

2007 marks the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the UK. Slavery, however, continues and is commonplace across the world. Thousands of people are estimated to be working as slaves within the UK, in highly exploitative conditions, with no rights, and under threat of violence.

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Between Decent Work and Forced Labour: Examining the Continuum of Exploitation (2010)

12. 3. 13

The paper examines how forced labour is currently framed within national legislations. Furthermore, it introduces a continuum of exploitation and interventions, ranging from decent work to extreme exploitation and covering both labour law and criminal law; and uses case studies to demonstrate how the concept of a continuum can be applied in practice in the UK.

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Forced Labour in Northern Ireland (2011)

4. 3. 13

This study explores evidence of forced labour among new migrants to Northern Ireland in a range of employment sectors. It examines issues of severe exploitation and forced labour, including poor working conditions, low pay, restricted movements and verbal and physical abuse. It studies migrants working in the fishing, mushroom and catering industries, as well as Filipino and Romanian Roma migrants...

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Forced Labour in the UK: The Business Angle (2012)

26. 2. 13

Forced labour has been reported in low-skill, low-wage jobs in the UK including care, construction, cleaning, entertainment, health, food and agriculture, domestic work and hospitality. However, the scope and extent of forced labour remains largely unknown. This study examines the business structures, processes and pressures that may drive or facilitate the use of forced labour in the UK. Making r...

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Regulation and Enforcement to Tackle Forced Labour in the UK: A Systematic Response? (2012)

19. 2. 13

While forced labour is generally recognised as a crime, it is rarely prosecuted because of obstacles to law enforcement and identification of forced labour victims. This paper spells out the challenges, within the complex regulatory environment of the UK labour market. Enforcement is spread over a number of agencies and regulatory bodies; the powers, interests and capacity of these organisations i...

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Experiences of Forced Labour among Chinese Migrant Workers (2011)

12. 2. 13

This report reveals the experiences of Chinese migrant workers in the UK. It looks at forced labour and exploitation, the role of family and social relationships, and how far migrants are able to exercise control over their lives. Many Chinese migrants seek work in the UK, in the context of increased globalisation and economic changes in China. However, the UK Government aims to stem the admission...

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Forced Labour and UK Immigration Policy: Status Matters? (2011)

5. 2. 13

This paper investigates the links between immigration status and migrants' vulnerability to forced labour. Furthermore, it explores how socio-legal status (specific rights to residence, work and social welfare) impacts on migrants' risk of forced labour; and it reviews UK immigration policy, to assess how far it may reduce or facilitate the use of forced labour.

Labour Migrationresearch reports and studies

Review of safety resources for recent immigrants entering the Canadian workforce (2011)

29. 1. 13

The purpose of this study was to examine the services, programs and resources available to newcomers to Canada that focus on employment standards, occupational health & safety and workers‟ compensation. The authors reviewed local resources available through community organizations, employers, settlement groups and unions, as well as resources available through provincial and federal preventi...

Labour Migration Integrationresearch reports and studies

The Czech "fight" against the illegal employment of foreigners

24. 1. 13 Martin Rozumek

The commentary focuses on the implications of the fact that in the Czech Republic, foreigners are being crowded out from legal employment by the Ministry of Labour and from legitimate business activities by the Ministry of the Interior. In more detail, the text addresses the failed transposition of the so-called "Sanctions Directive" which should impose sanctions on employers, in particular those ...

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