Source: Business in the Community, Monday 24 November 2008
Business in the Community (BITC) has launched The Voluntary Code of Practice on Employing Migrant Workers/Overseas Staff in Great Britain. The Voluntary Code provides a guide for employers to recruiting, employing and facilitating the integration of migrant workers into the UK.
At an event hosted by Boston Borough Council, the first round of signatories to the Code were presented with their certificates of recognition by Sadiq Khan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Sponsored by Produce World and 2 sisters Food Group, the Voluntary Code of Practice was developed by the BITC Migrant Worker Integration Group after a ‘Seeing is Believing’ visit to Boston, Lincolnshire, in 2006.
The Migrant Worker Integration Group, chaired by Samworth Brothers Ltd, is encouraging all employers of migrant workers to sign up to the principles of the Code.
Mick Gallagher, Chief Executive of Boston Borough Council said: “Boston is proud of the key role that we played in helping to create a Voluntary Code of Practice on employing migrant workers. By raising the employment standards in this sector it will help to raise the employment standards for all workers and that is very important for our area. The voluntary code will encourage businesses to play their part in regenerating the community by ensuring better standards of employment for all workers.”
Smooth integration of migrant workers
Cohesion Minister Sadiq Khan said,
The Voluntary Code of Practice will ensure that employers are better informed when taking the responsibility to ensure migrant workers are smoothly integrated into local communities. It is a framework that will help employers establish good work practice which can only be a good thing.
Phelim Keaveny, Personnel Manager, Samworth Brothers Limited and Chair of the Migrant Worker Integration Group, said, “Workers from other countries make a substantial contribution to the UK economy. The launch of the Voluntary Code of Practice on Employing Migrant Workers/Overseas Staff in Great Britain is one way leading businesses – by working in partnership with Business in the Community – can play an active role in helping migrant workers settle and integrate into employment and their new host community.”
The Migrant Worker Integration Group also presented Mr Khan, with a Position Paper proposing recommendations for both Government and business to enable the continued employment of migrant workers in the lower skilled and seasonal jobs on which our national economy depends. The paper will also be delivered to DEFRA, DBERR, DIUS and the Home Office.
For further information see www.bitc.org.uk/migrantworkers
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