New code launched for businesses employing migrant workers » Communities » 24dash.com

A new voluntary code of practice for businesses employing migrant workers is being officially launched today.

The code will form a guide for employers recruiting and employing migrant workers and overseas staff in the UK.

It is being launched by Business in the Community (BITC) which aims to help companies improve their impact on society, and involves more than 800 UK companies.

At today's official launch at Boston Borough Council, Lincs, the first round of signatories to the new code will be presented with certificates of recognition by Sadiq Khan MP, junior minister in the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

The code stemmed from a visit to Boston by a group of business leaders to see the impact large influxes of migrant workers has had on the local community.

A number of companies joined forces, led by food giant Samworth Brothers, to create the Migrant Worker Integration Group.

Companies involved in the group include Asda, the British Retail Consortium, the Co-operative Group, Duchy Originals, the Gangmaster's Licensing Authority, Marks & Spencer, the National Farmers Union, Sainsbury's and Tesco.

Its aim is to address issues linked to the employment of migrant workers, predominantly in the agricultural and food industry in rural areas.

The group's outcome is the revision of the Voluntary Code of Practice on Employing Migrant Workers, originally produced by BITC Northern Ireland, as well as a position paper proposing recommendations for both Government and business.

Today's launch will be held at Boston Borough Council's Municipal Buildings in Boston, Lincs, from noon to 2.30pm.

The announcement comes only days after nine people were arrested for human trafficking offences when officers raided a Lincolnshire leek-picking field, rescuing 60 migrant workers.

It is thought the workers, aged 15 to 67, were trapped by the organising gang and forced to work long hours and live in overcrowded accommodation.