Thousands of Polish and Lithuanian workers are being exploited at work in the UK, according to a report commissioned by the TUC.
The study shows that most had found insecure and poorly paid employment, with more than half of those surveyed encountering problems at work.

A quarter of the workers in the study reported having no written contract, a figure which rose to nearly a third among agency workers, and more than a quarter had faced problems with payment - including not being paid for hours worked, discrepancies between pay and payslips, unauthorised deductions and errors in pay calculation. Ten times as many migrants as indigenous workers were paid less than the minimum wage.

TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber (pictured), says: “This study reveals systematic abuse of migrant workers which is tantamount to modern day slavery. Too many unscrupulous bosses are getting rich by exploiting migrant workers and the full force of the law should be used against those profiting from such appalling ill treatment.

“It's clear migrant workers need help to secure their rights. By working with advice agencies and other similar organisations, unions can help ensure that migrant workers get the support and protection they are entitled to.”

The TUC is also publishing 'Living and working in the UK: Your rights', a guide written with the Citizens Advice service, with migrants from Eastern Europe in mind. Half the guide gives useful advice and tips for new arrivals on living in the UK, the remainder concentrates on issues that might cause problems at work.