§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what methods other than legislation exist 277W to counter the problem of unfair payment practices for construction workers. [19315]
§ Mr. OppenheimPayment practices, like other terms and conditions of employment, are a matter for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees—or their representatives—subject to existing law.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many building workers are currently under contract not to be paid unless their employer receives the fee for the work concerned; and in what other sectors of the economy this practice is operated. [19307]
§ Mr. OppenheimWe do not have such information, as contractual matters are for the parties to agree.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many workers have not been paid as their construction employers had become insolvent in each of the last five years. [19309]
§ Mr. OppenheimThe information is not available.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what discussions he has had with the construction industry on workers' conditions of employment; and what were the results of these talks. [19308]
§ Mr. OppenheimI have had no such discussions. Terms and conditions of employment are matters for negotiation and agreement between employers and employees—or their representatives—subject to existing law.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment he has made as to whether legislation in main competitor countries that all workers be paid for their work in main competitor countries has helped growth in the construction industry through attracting skilled workers. [19314]
§ Mr. OppenheimNone.