This document aims to signpost the sources of advice and help that are available to employers in the Swindon area.
Migrant workers are people coming to Swindon for the purposes of employment. They are more likely to be here for the duration of that employment and are less likely to be planning to settle. There is no fixed type of worker. Migrant workers are a diverse group with very differing needs, skills and circumstances. A growing proportion of migrant workers are those arriving from other countries. In Swindon we are seeing a particular growth in people from Goa, Poland, Turkey, Somalia and other EU nationals.
The Residential Services Team at Swindon Borough Council give more general advice for landlords, including those offering homes in multiple occupation (HMOs) on 01793 466063 or email residentialservices@swindon.gov.uk
Jobcentre Plus has a local advisor who can help you if you are considering actively recruiting migrant workers. Contact Helen Giles on telephone 0117 945 6767 or email helen.giles1@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
You may also find this link helpful: The European Employment Service (http://ec.europa.eu/eures/)
Migrant workers on a low income may be entitled to financial help. To find out about tax credits and benefits workers can visit DirectGov (www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits)
The Department for Work and Pensions has produced a leaflet ‘Coming Abroad and Getting Your Benefits’ available in 10 languages, To get a copy, The Department of Work and Pensions - Leaflets and Guides (www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/jcp/Customers/Leaflets_and_Guides/Dev_011720.xml.html#general)
The Business Link website has a wealth of practical information and case studies from companies that have successfully been through the process of employing migrant workers. (www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=CASE%20STUDIES&itemId=1079549250&r.s=sl# )
Some migrant workers and those from settled communities may have poor language skills, and as a result, find it more difficult to integrate with their local communities. Effective communication is important. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) have produced a booklet with case studies of different approaches to needs around English language skills.(www.cbi.org.uk/pdf/englishatwork.pdf)
You can also speak to the Council’s Learning and Engagement team about opportunities for work-based learning. Trade unions and New College in Swindon will also be able to provide advice and information about local learning opportunities.
For further information contact:
Bruce Clarke, Head of Learning & Engagement, Swindon Borough Council, tel: 01793 466042, email: bclarke@swindon.gov.uk
New College, Swindon, New College Drive, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN3 1AH, tel: (0)1793 611470
Many European Union (EU) nationals have the right to enter and live in the UK. Nationals of the A8 and A2 countries, i.e. countries that have recently joined the EU, and non-EU nationals, may have restricted rights to enter and live in the UK. You can find out about rights (www.direct.gov.uk/en/RightsAndResponsibilities/ Citizensandgovernment/DG_10015894)
Immigration status and how it affects individual rights can be complicated. Advice can be sought from an independent immigration adviser. You can find your nearest independent immigration adviser (www.clsdirect.org.uk) or by phoning CLS Direct.
For further information also see www.direct.gov.uk/RightsAndResponsibilities
CLS Direct is a national service comprising a directory of advice providers in each area, and a website. The directory is available online or over the telephone. CLS Direct also provides telephone advice in several areas of law. CLS Direct. There is also free advice for those eligible for legal aid, telephone 0845 345 4345.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 is now the primary piece of fire safety legislation in force in England and Wales. It applies to virtually all premises and covers nearly every type of building, structure and open space
You must:
You need to make sure that they fully understand these instructions particularly if English isn’t their first language. For further advice contact:HM Government Fire and Rescue Service (www.fire.gov.uk) or phone them on: 0800 389 7849.
Many migrant workers do not seek medical help when they fall ill as they believe that they may be charged for advice or treatment. As an employer, naturally you want to see your entire workforce fit and well. The question of who is entitled to free medical treatment under the UK National Health Service can be confusing.
People who have come to live and work legally as an employee or self-employed person, are probably entitled to free treatment. However, this does not include people on short contracts or business trips. If you have a worker who appears to need to see a doctor, and you aren’t sure about their entitlements, The Citizens Advice Bureau (www.adviceguide.org.uk/health) has more information on its website.
Workers can seek health advice and information through NHS Direct (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) telephone 0845 4647. They can ask for an interpreter if they need one.
In Swindon, workers can;-
For further information contact Swindon PCT NHS Trust (http://www.swindonpct.nhs.uk/our_services/out_of_hours.htm)
Although it is hoped that migrant workers who move to this area enjoy living in our community, sometimes people choose to return. Some workers may indicate that they wish to return but are facing some difficulty in doing so. This may be because circumstances in the country of origin have changed or their right to remain legally in the UK has expired, problems with travel documentation or fear of acceptance on return. If you have an employee in this situation the International Organisation for Migration (www.iomlondon.org) or Tel 0800 783 2332. They might be able to assist them to get home safely.
The rules about employing migrant workers changed at the end of February 2008. Changes include a new licensing system for employers who wish to bring skilled workers into the UK and civil penalties of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker that is found employed in a business. Those people found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could also incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison.
Find out more and get useful advice at the UK Border Agency (www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/)
This Act makes it unlawful to treat anyone who works for you – or who used to work for you – including casual workers, self employed contractors and workers hired through employment agencies, less favourably than others on racial grounds. Racial grounds are grounds of race, colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins.
This means it is as unlawful to discriminate against a white person as it is against a black or Asian person. Customers and clients are also protected. Discrimination takes place in different ways, many of which are subtle, and often unintended. It can therefore be overlooked, unless employers actively build fairness and equality into all their business procedures and practices.
Further information is available from the Equality & Human Rights Commission (www.equalityhumanrights.com) or from the Swindon Racial Equality Council. Tel: 01793 528545 or e-mail swindonrec@srec.fsnet.co.uk
1, Migrant workers in England and Wales: An assessment of migrant worker health and safety risks. A thought provoking research report from the Health and Safety Executive. (www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr502.htm)
2. Migrant Workers in Wiltshire
Recent research carried out by West Wiltshire Citizens Advice Bureau and the Wiltshire Race Equality Council. As well as a wealth of statistics on migrant workers in the local area, this report also gives an insight into the experiences of a group of Polish people who have come to work in Wiltshire. www.transparencyresearch.co.uk/downloads/TRPL_Migrant_Workers_in_Wiltshire.pdf
3. The experiences of Central and East European migrants in the UK
This research explores the experiences, beyond the workplace, of migrants from East and Central Europe working in four low-wage occupations in the UK. This is the second report from a study conducted before and after EU enlargement on 1 May 2004, which draws on a survey and interviews with over 600 migrants. It explores their access to information and to English classes, their accommodation, leisure time, social relationships and long-term intentions about staying in the UK. Find this information at The Joseph Roundtree Foundation (http://jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/2068.asp)
Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act to provide all of their employees with the appropriate safety training to enable them to do their jobs without risk of illness or injury. Even if English is not their first language, it is still your responsibility to make sure that all of your employees fully understand this training. The Health & Safety Executive produces a range of leaflets which may help. Many of these are also available in a range of different languages.
The Border and Immigration Agency have many useful pages and sources of information on their website that will be helpful to employers. There is also telephone helpline service for employers if the information online does not answer your queries or concerns.
The employers helpline can be reached on 0845 010 6677.
The employers' helpline offers a dedicated service for employers that includes
If your workers need general advice on a range of issues e.g. debt, contracts, benefits, accommodation and benefits, you might want to suggest that they contact the Citizens Advice Bureau. They can be found at Faringdon House, 1 Faringdon Road, SWINDON or telephone 08444 994 114. Their web site The Citizens Advice Bureau (www.adviceguide.org.uk/index.htm) has a wealth of information, including some available in other languages.
Located in Faringdon House, 1 Faringdon Road, this organisation provides information for people with immigration, equal opportunities and racial harassment enquiries. Also gives advice on welfare benefits and related problems. Self-referral is possible. Telephone 01793 528545 or email swindonrec@srec.fsnet.co.uk
Where appropriate, many local companies have recognised the mutual benefits of training their migrant workers as part of the mainstream workforce. As well as signposting local classes to employees, some are bringing in trainers to deliver in-house courses. There are lots of places that offer tailored training courses ranging from IT to food hygiene in the area. Both colleges offer a range of other work-related training courses. You can contact them via their websites or telephone at.Swindon College (www.swindon-college.ac.uk) or Tel: 01793 491591 and New College Swindon (www.newcollege.co.uk) Tel: 0808 1721721.
There are two publications that you might like to give to your new migrant workers to help them settle into their job and their local community.
Welcome to Britain A Wiltshire & Swindon guide produced by the Criminal Justice Board. At the moment, this booklet is available in English and Polish. For additional copies please contact Steven Taylor on 01225 781216 or by email: steventaylorwcjb@wiltshire.gov.uk
Welcome To Swindon – a guide for new workers This leaflet has been produced by Swindon Borough Council, funded by the Government Office for the South West. It includes a range of information that migrant workers will find useful including training, leisure activities and their responsibilities. Although initially only available in English, versions in other languages will be produced shortly. For additional copies please contact Community Directorate on 01793 466468.
Join our virtual network for Employers in Swindon. Please go to our Migrant Workers section of Swindon Borough Council website (http://www.swindon.gov.uk/community/community-asylummigration/community-asylummigration-migrantworkers.htm). We will be sharing information sources, documents and good practice through regular updates.
Yo can also assist us by providing us with information about your migrant worker employees. We would be interested to hear about the numbers of employees you have, duration of employment in Swindon, countries of origin and preferred languages. We would also be interested to hear about any difficulties you or your employees are experiencing.
By working together, we can ensure that all newcomers living and working in Swindon are able to access the services they need, and settle into our local communities.
The Wiltshire Law Centre (www.wiltslawcentre.org.uk ) is a registered charity that provides free, confidential and friendly advice to individuals. They cover Welfare Benefits, Housing Law and Debt. The service is based in Temple House near The Register Office. Telephone 01793 486926, email info@wiltslawcentre.co.uk
This factsheet is our first leaflet for employers and we will seek to keep updating these pages.
To help us improve our collation and presentation of information we welcome your feedback and suggestions for any other information on employing and helping migrant workers that you would find useful.
To contact us, please write, phone or e-mail:
Paula Harrison, Community Support Team, Directorate of Community, Swindon Borough Council, 4th Floor Premier House, Station Road, Swindon, SN1 1TZ
Email: pharrison@swindon.gov.uk
Tel: 01793 466418
Accessibility Guideline Notes
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