The work injury picture for workers new to the UK

For all workers in the UK the danger of work injury has always been a concern. In recent years however, the outlook has steadily improved. Since the expansion of the European Union to include many Eastern European states, there has been a dramatic influx of migrant workers filling mostly lowly paid agricultural, construction and service jobs. This change has had a significant impact on the UK economy while simultaneously raising new and complex issues or migrant worker safety.

Perhaps the most significant impact has been the willingness of these workers to fill many of the menial positions most UK nationals seem so averse to doing themselves. It has also provoked resentment from some quarters, with many feeling that they are being disadvantaged by the migrant employment phenomenon. There have also been criticisms that the influx is irrevocably changing the cultural landscape of Britain.

Whatever people's feelings about it, few can begrudge those workers who come here seeking to find a better life for themselves and their families. It is also true that the phenomenon has presented a whole new array of health and safety questions.

Specific hazards
Two years ago, a leading personal injury lawyer from Leeds offered a timely warning that foreign workers were at a much greater risk of suffering the kind of exploitation and negligent employer practice that can lead to them suffering a disproportionately high incidence of work injury.

What he said then holds equally true today, "Local employers need to be made aware that whilst they may believe that such workers can help to manage their labour costs, their health and safety obligations are the same whether the worker is from Leeds or Latvia.

"Employers need to ensure that their employees are adequately trained and that proper information has been given to employees about risks to their health. Of course, sometimes language difficulties can be an issue, but is the employer's responsibility to ensure that the employee is capable."

Despite such early warnings about the workplace hazards peculiar to these foreign workers there are still criticisms that a kind of "cowboy capitalism" is taking hold in some employment sectors, placing these migrant employees at unnecessary risk.

One Trade Union Congress report highlighted three areas that disadvantaged migrant workers while simultaneously jeopadising their safety. They are as follows:

• Excessive hours.
• Below minimum wage pay.
• Dangerous working conditions.

Since the landmark EU expansion that precipitated the influx, in addition to a relatively high reportage of workplace injuries among Eastern European immigrant workers there have also been a worrying number of workplace fatalities.

Although this is partly attributable to the high representation of these workers in traditionally accident-prone sectors like agriculture and construction, it is undeniable that their unique circumstances are also a significant factor.

The language barrier is one such factor. So much so, in fact, that it has led the TUC to say that overcoming this barrier can "literally mean the difference between life and death".

Responsible employers have responded to this problem in many innovative ways. Of the many organisations that employ large migrant workforces, bilingual signage is becoming increasingly commonplace, as is the distribution of bilingual employee health and safety literature. A number have also initiated English language courses for their new foreign workers.

The public bodies with an interest in the welfare of the UK workforce have also been quick to respond. Construction union UCATT also run language courses, promoting fast and effective linguistic integration of migrant workers, something which empowers them in the process.

There have been other useful initiatives too, such as the one pioneered by the Health and Safety Executive that provides workplace safety information in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, Greek, Gujarati, Pashto, Portuguese, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Slovak, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish, Ukrainian and Welsh, as well as in English.

Making a no win, no fee work injury claim
YouClaim's workplace injury lawyers are fully committed to providing the best possible representation to workers who have suffered accident or injury as a result of negligent employer practice while members of the UK workforce whatever their backgrounds.

All governed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, over the years they have demonstrated that commitment by forging a reputation for skill, sensitivity and success.

Our method of practice means that, win or lose, none of our clients ever have to pay a penny to fund their compensation claims.

Furthermore, our 100% compensation promise ensures that our clients always receive the full amount awarded them we never take a cut.

If you would like to take advantage of our service and begin your work injury claim today, simply call us on 0800 10 757 95.

If you would like to get in touch with us but would prefer not to speak now, fill out an online claim form, use e-chat or request a callback.