By Andrew Jarret

ARBROATH COUNCILLOR Bob Spink has moved to quash fears that migrant workers in Angus will be easily exploited.

He was reacting to Thursday’s Courier article in which campaigners claimed that some eastern European workers were being treated like “modern-day slaves.”

Mr Spink said he wanted to disassociate himself from allegations of “slave treatment” by employers, as he had no evidence to suggest such a thing.

He said he had spoken to local campaigner Sue Smith some time ago, when she expressed concern that foreign workers in the area were getting a rough deal.

“In a telephone conversation with Mrs Smith some months ago where she alleged some incidents to me, I asked her to furnish me copies of any evidence she had, and although she said she would, she has not yet done so,” said Mr Spink.

“No doubt Mrs Smith is sincere and may well be able to substantiate these allegations, but I would remind her that there are employment laws, health and safety laws etc, and many regulations which probably govern such breaches, if indeed breaches they are. She should therefore pass on that information to the appropriate authorities.”

Mr Spink said the death of a Czech worker in a caravan near Arbroath this year prompted a number of initiatives.

“Angus Council has not been asleep since the tragic incident at Marywell, and I have had talks with officers,” he said.

“We believe the true number of migrant workers in Angus may be in excess of 5000. If this is so, it represents about 5% of the working population of Angus, and is thus an important part of the economic life of Angus.

“You must remember that these people come to Angus of their own volition, and to a degree, as with us all, have personal responsibilities.

“They must work with and within our system, and it is their duty to educate themselves in all aspects of life in Scotland and to seek out the proper authority that may assist them in this.

“The council have produced a booklet called Welcome to Angus which will be updated and reprinted in early 2008.”

He said it is intended to translate the council website into other languages to make council services more accessible to migrant workers.

“Tayside-wide migrant worker roadshows are being held over the summer in partnership with the economic development unit, Angus College, and community learning and development.

“There will be several visits to farms across Angus, with interpreters. The aim of these sessions is to engage with local employers and provide migrant workers, who are isolated due to their place and hours of work, with information about as wide a range of council services as possible,” he said.

Areas which will be looked at include poor and illegal employment practices, pay and conditions, breaches in health and safety, lack of privacy, and sexual exploitation.

“Importantly, it is not in the interest of any employer to maltreat his workforce, for that can only have one result in the longer term —he will lose them,” said Mr Spink.

“Since the incident at Marywell, inspections have been carried out by environmental health officers at 21 caravan sites in Angus. A number of issues have arisen from this, and they are being dealt with.

“In short, in my opinion there is now a much greater awareness of the implication of such a large influx of migrant workers to Angus, and the kind of regulation I sought is well under way.

“I, for one, value these people and the potential contribution they make to our economy. They appear to be in the main hard-working and conscientious and, given the numbers, as law-abiding as any section of our indigenous population.

“They are indeed welcome, but I will not be content until I am satisfied that they are receiving fair and equitable treatment in our community.”