Hot Topic: Spare a thought for migrant workers |
Michael Barker, The Grocer 08 November 2008 In: Columnists
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The Unison strikes threatening the supply of meat this Christmas may resemble another case of ransom holding such as we've seen from workers in the airline and transport industries prior to peak holidays.
But some of the conditions these inspectors are complaining about, including antisocial hours and even bullying, aren't simply opportunist. There can be no comparison between our tube drivers' average £40k salaries plus benefits, for instance, and the appalling conditions many food industry workers face.
And as I witnessed first hand last month when I accompanied a GLA investigation, for some food industry workers it's even worse - wretched conditions, endless working hours and sub-minimal pay.
As we complain about the high cost of food, we should spare a thought for those people earning as little as £1.25 an hour. These aren't workers in Indonesian sweatshops, but economic migrants who came to the UK in search of a better living.
If it's true that the UK's now less attractive and they're leaving in their droves, who's going to pick the veg for our Christmas dinner in future?
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