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Labour vow to criminalise exploitation of migrant labour Labour vow to criminalise exploitation of migrant labour
(about 7 hours later)
Labour has said it will make the serious exploitation of migrant workers a criminal offence if it gains power.Labour has said it will make the serious exploitation of migrant workers a criminal offence if it gains power.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper will say the existing offence of forced labour should be revised so more offenders are caught and prosecuted.Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper will say the existing offence of forced labour should be revised so more offenders are caught and prosecuted.
Minimum jail sentences for employers hiring illegal workers on a large scale is one option that will be considered.Minimum jail sentences for employers hiring illegal workers on a large scale is one option that will be considered.
The government is doubling the maximum fine for employers found using illegal workers to £20,000 from next month.The government is doubling the maximum fine for employers found using illegal workers to £20,000 from next month.
Other measures introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition include a four-fold increase in fines for firms not paying the minimum wage and increased penalties for landlords housing migrants in illegal premises.Other measures introduced by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition include a four-fold increase in fines for firms not paying the minimum wage and increased penalties for landlords housing migrants in illegal premises.
'Unchecked''Unchecked'
But in a speech, Ms Cooper will claim that current laws are failing to deter serious exploitation of migrant labour.But in a speech, Ms Cooper will claim that current laws are failing to deter serious exploitation of migrant labour.
She will say fewer employers have been fined for employing illegal immigrants since 2010 and £40m-worth of fines have gone uncollected. She will say fewer employers have been fined for employing illegal immigrants since 2010 and £40m of fines have gone uncollected.
Labour is to launch a nationwide consultation with businesses, trade unions, communities and workers into the laws around exploitation and undercutting of wages. Labour is to launch a nationwide consultation with businesses, trade unions, communities and workers into the laws on exploitation and undercutting of wages.
At the moment, employers convicted of knowingly employing a significant number of illegal workers face jail terms of up to two years and an unlimited fine.At the moment, employers convicted of knowingly employing a significant number of illegal workers face jail terms of up to two years and an unlimited fine.
But Ms Cooper will say there have been cases of gangmasters being punished with losing their licence and sanctions need to be much tougher.But Ms Cooper will say there have been cases of gangmasters being punished with losing their licence and sanctions need to be much tougher.
"The truth is that for too long exploitation in the labour market - a cause and effect of low-skilled immigration and illegal immigration - has gone unchecked," Ms Cooper will say."The truth is that for too long exploitation in the labour market - a cause and effect of low-skilled immigration and illegal immigration - has gone unchecked," Ms Cooper will say.
"We want clearer, stronger laws so businesses know where they stand and responsible employers know they won't be undercut, but so that it is clear that employers who use pressure or force to exploit people and get round employment law are committing a crime.""We want clearer, stronger laws so businesses know where they stand and responsible employers know they won't be undercut, but so that it is clear that employers who use pressure or force to exploit people and get round employment law are committing a crime."
Past mistakesPast mistakes
Ms Cooper will also commit to re-introduce full exit checks at UK borders - scrapped by the last Labour government - as well as to take the fingerprints of illegal immigrants caught at Calais. Ms Cooper will also commit to reintroduce full exit checks at UK borders - scrapped by the previous Labour government - as well as to take the fingerprints of illegal immigrants caught at Calais.
Labour have been criticised for allowing levels of annual net migration to shoot up after 2004 - when it did not insist on any controls on workers from Poland and 10 other new EU member states entering the UK. Labour has been criticised for allowing levels of annual net migration to shoot up after 2004 - when it did not insist on any controls on workers from Poland and 10 other new EU member states entering the UK.
Acknowledging past mistakes, she will say: "The figures were wrong, and migration was far greater than we expected." Acknowledging past mistakes, she will say: "The figures were wrong, and migration was far greater than we expected.
"As a result the pace and scale of immigration was too great and it is right to bring it down. And we should have recognised more quickly the impact on low skilled jobs, and the worries people had." "As a result the pace and scale of immigration was too great and it is right to bring it down. And we should have recognised more quickly the impact on low-skilled jobs, and the worries people had."
But she will say Labour's approach has changed and she will attack Prime Minister David Cameron for failing to curb both illegal and legal immigration. But she will say Labour's approach has changed and she will attack Prime Minister David Cameron for failing to curb illegal and legal immigration.
'Contribution''Contribution'
The Conservatives hope to cut net migration to under 100,000 a year by 2015 but the latest figures show that it actually rose by 60,000 to 210,000 in the year to September 2013. The Conservatives hope to cut annual net migration to under 100,000 by next year but the latest figures show that it actually rose by 60,000 to 210,000 in the year to September 2013.
Ms Cooper will say that migrants have made an "immense contribution" to British society and its prosperity.Ms Cooper will say that migrants have made an "immense contribution" to British society and its prosperity.
"It (immigration) is not all bad, as conservatives would tell us. It's not all good, as liberals would tell us." "It [immigration] is not all bad, as conservatives would tell us. It's not all good, as liberals would tell us.
"In the world economy immigration is important for our future so we don't turn away the best talent and investment Britain needs." "In the world economy, immigration is important for our future so we don't turn away the best talent and investment Britain needs.
"That is why immigration needs to be properly controlled and managed. And why stronger controls are needed to tackle problems and build public confidence and consent." "That is why immigration needs to be properly controlled and managed, and why stronger controls are needed to tackle problems and build public confidence and consent."
Ministers announced on Wednesday that the Gangmasters' Licensing Authority would become part of the Home Office - a move it said would strengthen its enforcement and intelligence capabilities. Ministers announced on Wednesday that the Gangmasters Licensing Authority would become part of the Home Office - a move it said would strengthen its enforcement and intelligence capabilities.