Dundee, 5 September 2024
Contact: Valeria Ragni WSC Centre Manager, 07934 587312
Following today’s ITN Investigation into seasonal worker accommodation in England and Scotland, the Worker Support Centre has called on both the UK and Scottish Governments to urgently clarify workers’ status in law with respect to this accommodation, and to establish minimum standards which it can be inspected against and held to.
The Worker Support Centre provides direct support to workers on the agricultural Seasonal Worker visa, 95% of whom live in tied, mainly caravan, accommodation on employer owned land. During Jan-July 2024, WSC engaged with 81 workers on issues related to this housing across 16 different farms.
Valeria Ragni, WSC Centre Manager said:
“Workers contacting us during 2024 raised issues related to very poor housing standards including damp, black mould, cold and draughts, broken furniture and extremely cramped conditions.
“We have seen an increase in workers raising issues this year and, significantly, sharing the serious impact of such conditions on their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Responding to tonight’s report, Caroline Robinson, WSC Executive Director said:
“This investigation shows not only that housing for seasonal farm workers is shockingly poor, but that no standards exist by which it can be held. This is putting workers in a dangerous position with no protections or voice.
“Workers on minimum wage are paying their employer in many cases, far above average rents, to share a cramped room in a caravan or portakabin. These charges increase worker vulnerability to exploitation and tip them further into poverty.
“The way this visa has been designed leaves workers highly dependent on their employer, for their status, pay, housing and employment. It is now incumbent on government to take action, to review the situation for workers to ensure they are legally entitled to a minimum standard of accommodation and to set about enforcing it.”
Ends.
Notes to Editors
- Seasonal agricultural workers in tied accommodation can be charged up to £9.99 per day or £69.93 in Accommodation offset rates without affecting workers pay.
- At these rates rent for a single worker, therefore, can reach approx. £303.03 per month, and where there are 4 people occupying a caravan, it can reach approx. £1212.12, or where 6 people, approx. £1818.18 per caravan per month.
- In Scotland, the Agricultural Wages Order sets £9.99 per day as the maximum rate for accommodation, and stipulates that accommodation deductions cannot be made if the accommodation has been deemed “unfit for human habitation” by the local authority.
- Findings from a review of accommodation regulation/relevant legislation carried out by the Worker Support Centre indicates a general absence of regulation of temporary caravan accommodation. The UK Home Office has stated that local government holds responsibility for accommodation, but a review of regulations and powers indicates it is unclear how this is the case and where such responsibility sits in guidance or legislation.