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LSE expert to tackle exploitation of low paid workers in Britain

Xinhua, January 6, 2017 Adjust font size:

A professor at the London School of Economics(LSE) was named Thursday as the British government's enforcer to tackle workplace exploitation.

Sir David Metcalf as Director of Labor Market Enforcement will be tasked with set strategic priorities to stamp out exploitation.

He will also gather intelligence on minimum wage violations, unscrupulous employment agencies and other labor market violations.

Metcalf, who was chairman of Britain's Migration Advisory Committee until August last year, will also set strategic priorities for the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and the National Minimum Wage enforcement team.

"For the first time, the three agencies are centralising their intelligence, enabling the director to draw up an annual strategy targeting sectors and regions which are vulnerable to unscrupulous employment practices. He is also working alongside the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner to better tackle exploitation and slavery in the labour market," said a spokesman for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy,

Metcalf said: "While the UK is by and large a fair and safe place to work, there are still rogue employers who exploit their workers and undercut honest businesses. As the government has made clear, this will not go unpunished."

Since 2013, almost 700 employers in Britain who have failed to pay the national minimum or living wage have been named and shamed. Britain's tax collectors have, since 2010, recovered 37 million U.S. dollars owed to more than 173,000 underpaid workers.

Metcalf was a founding member of Britain's Low Pay Commission, advising the government on National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates. Endit