The TUC has launched The Commission on Vulnerable Employment to investigate vulnerable working in the UK.

Over the next week, the TUC is calling on people who have experienced exploitation at work to call a freephone number (0800 072 0010) open from 31 May to 6 June to tell their story, or to report their experiences by post or via the web.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber (pictured) said: “Most people will have the odd grumble about their job, but are treated fairly most of the time. But some workers still experience rank exploitation that Charles Dickens would recognise. Most of the time their experience is hidden, but we have had a recent rash of shocking exposures of poor treatment. The job of our new commission is to shine a light on Britain’s hidden exploited workers, and work out what government, employers and unions should be doing to protect them.”

In a report prepared for the Commission launch the TUC says up to one in five of the workforce may be considered vulnerable workers. They include agency workers - particularly the unskilled, casual workers, industrial home workers and migrant workers.

The members of the Commission are: Barber, Gail Cartmail - assistant general secretary of Amicus, Debbie Coulter - the GMBs deputy general secretary, Jack Dromey - deputy general secretary of the TGWU and John Hannett - general secretary of USDAW.

* Also see: REC submits response to government’s vulnerable agency consultation