Construction union UCATT has unearthed what it has dubbed 'a case of appalling systematic abuse of vulnerable migrant workers' at the Sutton-in-Ashfield hospital.

The union has obtained pay slips which reveal some workers took home just £8.80 after working a 40 hour week.

UCATT chiefs say dry lining subcontracting company Produm paid 12 Lithuanian workers below the agreed minimum rates, did not pay overtime and charged excessive deductions for rent, tools and utility bills. It is understood that many of these charges were unlawful.

Employers are allowed to deduct a a maximum of £30.10 a week, or £4.30 a day - meaning an employee working 37 hours at £6 an hour should take home at least £174.14 a week unless they have agreed to any other deductions.

Said UCATT general secretary Alan Ritchie: "At UCATT we have been building up a large fact file of ganged workers. This case is the worst we have seen - these workers were virtually destitute. The fact it has occurred on a PFI site, using taxpayers' money is scandalous."

Subcontracted

It is understood that Skanska, the construction firm overseeing the project, had subcontracted the work to another firm, Baris, which had in turn subcontracted to Produm

It has also emerged that the workers had been ensured through a company, William DryWall, which was owned by the director of Produm and has since gone into receivership - meaning the workers were working without insurance protection.

Said a Skanska spokesman: "Since this information was brought to the attention of Skanska, the company has worked with UCATT to resolve these issues and Skanska has attended meetings to address the points raised so that any losses due to the relevant workers would be resolved.

"Skanska, for its part, has always had as its primary concern wanted to ensure that the individuals working on its site were paid in accordance with the National Working Rule Agreement."

UCATT only learned of the extent of the abuse after some of the workers had stopped being paid altogether with the company currently owing some workers five weeks' pay.

The workers were initially scared of approaching the union because Produm also provided the accommodation.

Mansfield MP Alan Meale this morning said he was 'appalled' at the situation and would be seeking meetings with Produm and UCATT.

"Law breaking like this will not be tolerated. They should not be flouting the law on minimum wage.

"Mansfield is not a third world economy and this type of thing should not be happening."

Skanska has insisted that the 'matters were resolved with the parties involved' on June 24.

But in a statement released this morning (Monday), UCATT has accused Baris of going back on an agreement to reimburse the workers so they received the correct level of pay.

Said UCATT regional secretary Steve Murphy: "This is a terrible indictment for the construction industry. This is a well-organised site where we are generally able to protect construction workers from exploitation. We will be able to eventually get a fair resolution for these workers.

"What is truly frightening is to think what happens on the many unorganised sites in our industry."

A spokesman for Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, which runs King's Mill, said: "This is entirely a matter for Skanska and its appointed sub-contractors."