Looks like mistreatment of factory workers has caused the spike in Leicester

[Tellmetruth4]

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jun/30/some-leicester-factories-stayed-open-and-forced-staff-to-come-in

It’s unbelievable that unscrupulous employers can get away with paying their poor mainly immigrant staff below the minimum wage, force them to come to work even after they’ve tested positive telling them they are not to tell their colleagues and board up factory windows so passers by can’t see the factory is open.

Surely massive fines and imprisonment for the owners should be considered?

@brakethree,As regards the lack of english, I know this won't be popular, but we should expect people to speak the language of the country they choose to live in

I couldn't agree more! Which ESOL classes do you suggest they join?

@randomer - most councils run adult education classes that include ESOL and they are free.

The common factor with the Rotherham child abuse scandal, honour killings/underage marriages/fgm (other apparently culturally sensitive areas) and these factory workers is that the victims are, in the vast majority, women. Couple this with the police's shit record dealing with domestic violence and sexual assault, and one might say that institutional misogyny is the police's problem.

Very true

The common factor with the Rotherham child abuse scandal, honour killings/underage marriages/fgm (other apparently culturally sensitive areas) and these factory workers is that the victims are, in the vast majority, women.

Not the ONLY common factor there...

@brakethree.....Wonderful? where is this demi paradise of which you speak?

This sceptered isle, this bountiful supply of ESOL courses?

The Equal Pay Act 1970 predated the U.K. joining the EC

The U.K. had to implement it to be allowed to join.

Back on point, YANBU OP.

Well we are still technically in the EU so where is the protection for these workers

Let's hope people remember this next time they buy cheap, poor quality clothing from Boohoo and PLT etc next time they get bored in lockdown.

Indeed

I teach Textiles, and my ds is a journalist. He made me read an article in the Sunday Times by a friend of his about a year ago.

Britain operates a ‘black’ or ‘dark’ economy, that is kept secret. It is mainly in the textile factories in and around the Midlands. Workers are paid about £4.00 per hour, and have no NI or H and S. Every effort is made to keep it as quiet as possible.

Boohoo, Nasty Gal, Missguided and others who have really low prices use these factories. ASOS and Primark don’t.

New Look first started struggling last year. This is because they also won’t use them and can’t compete on price.

It was a horrifying read of 21st century Britain. And these factories have loads of workers who want to work for them. I just felt sick reading it.

I can’t remember the other names. Is there a ‘Pretty in Pink’ too?

I mean Pretty Little Thing!🙆🏻‍♀️

Britain operates a ‘black’ or ‘dark’ economy, that is kept secret. It is mainly in the textile factories in and around the Midlands. Workers are paid about £4.00 per hour, and have no NI or H and S. Every effort is made to keep it as quiet as possible.

And I bet a high percentage of workers are women from BAME communities.

Yeah, they are. It was horrifying

At the moment those eu laws won’t change so it’s irrelevant. What those business owners is doing is breaking the law as it stands . And I noticed the other interviews where the environment looked dirty plus no screens and not all wearing masks .

Plus if they have broken H&s and employment law I hope the force of the law is bought down on them .

Why don't they take a couple of hours off and learn English?

08:56KaptainKaveman

Once we've left the EU we can look forward to much more erosion of workers' rights and exploitation. Oh good.

exactly kaptain

FT published article two years ago in this

Fast fashion causes this - they costed products at an ethical factory which pays min wage. A dress for sale for £6 oh boohoo would cost over £6 to make in legal conditions.

People need to stop buying this shit and a special unit is required to prosecute these immoral owners

09:41Hingeandbracket

verybritishproblems

Once we've left the EU we can look forward to much more erosion of workers' rights and exploitation. Oh good.

Yes I don’t think some people realise how much the EU was protecting our rights. Maternity leave and other benefits were all EU law I believe...

What a load of rubbish. These events have occurred in the transition period - a time where there have been no amendments at all to worker's rights. Where have the EU been in "protecting" these workers?

Our Maternity leave and pay exceed EU requirements and always have. You need to check your facts.

what a load of rubbish hinge

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince Of course

Why don't they take a couple of hours off and learn English?

Don't be daft. It doesn't work that way. A couple of hours of English won't get you anywhere, even if you had the time and the money to do it. When all your family and coworkers and shopkeepers and friends speak another language then it just won't work. Who do you practice with? Also, most women are expected to do housekeeping and look after older relatives and the children when they are home.

I very much agree. Sadly, some immigrants are more vulnerable to this because they are less likely to stand up to their employers than natives.

@Chardonnays my comment was in response o somebody mentioning al the free ESOL classes which are out there. of course, I know it's utter nonsense.

A couple of hours English per week , will get you somewhere. It will enable you to shop, to get about , to talk to a doctor, to understand a teacher and improve confidence.

where is ... this bountiful supply of ESOL courses?

For Leicester the obvious place would be the College (free if you're over 19 and earn

@TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince

The article I read showed new look were the only company from the four looked at who were paying enough for their products.

Glad it’s been reported on. A lot of people locally knew this to be the case (we have relatives who live nr Leicester). There have also been muttering about bad outbreaks in meat processing plants up there.