Home > SME News > Government acts to protect SME workers

Government acts to protect SME workers

Published On 6 June 2007 at 09:00:30

The government has launched a pilot scheme to try and crack down on the bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who treat their staff poorly.

Earlier this week, Alistair Darling, the trade and industry secretary, outlined government plans to protect vulnerable workers and discover employers who do not provide staff with minimum health and safety standards.

Two pilot schemes will run in London and Manchester and will aim to bring together experts from unions, business and enforcement and advice bodies.

Launching the project, Mr Darling said: "All workers deserve decent minimum standards - a minimum wage, the right to paid holidays or the right to work in a safe environment.

"We need to protect vulnerable workers. I want to make sure that if abuses occur they are dealt with as soon as possible.

"By bringing together employers and unions we can identify how to strengthen enforcement."

It is hoped that the pilot schemes will help venerable workers secure fairer working conditions, give employees the chance to develop marketable skills and enable bosses to understand and comply with employment regulation and laws.

 

Related SME News:

• Postal strike 'would hit SMEs hard'
  7 June 2007 at 16:23:50
  Any strike by Royal Mail staff could be disastrous for small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK, a business group has warned.
• SMEs 'encouraged to focus on emerging markets'
  7 June 2007 at 08:56:14
  Business groups have welcomed the findings of the Trade & Industry Select Committee's report on UK trade and investment (UKTI).
• Bosses 'can say no' to flexible work requests
  30 May 2007 at 16:12:02
  The bosses at the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises should not be afraid to refuse their staff's requests for more flexible working arrangements if they believe they will harm business.
• Manchester SMEs 'oppose road pricing'
  30 May 2007 at 08:51:09
  The vast majority of small business owners in the Manchester area are opposed to the proposed road pricing scheme which could be introduced in the city.
• Paternity rules 'will harm SMEs'
  29 May 2007 at 14:36:30
  New paternity regulation will harm the productivity of the UK's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), a leading industry group has warned.
• Workers 'want to quit if they can't progress'
  25 May 2007 at 09:02:52
  The bosses of the nation's small and medium-sized enterprises need to do more to make sure their staff benefit from day-to-day training opportunities, industry experts have claimed.