Creating a fairer Britain
In October 2008, the Commission launched an inquiry into recruitment and employment in the meat and poultry processing sector in England and Wales.
We have started a review of the extent to which the relevant bodies have implemented the report’s recommendations. We are asking the meat and poultry processing sector what changes they have made following the Inquiry report and recommendations.
► Read more about the review
The inquiry gave us the opportunity to examine how people working in this industry are recruited, and how they are treated once they are at work. Through questionnaires, interviews and consultation with individuals and organisations we were able to gather broad and authoritative evidence that has formed the base of our findings report.
The report reveals evidence of the widespread mistreatment and exploitation of migrant and agency workers in the sector, and makes recommendations to the key bodies - supermarkets, agencies, processing firms, government, regulators and unions – which we believe will encourage a systemic change in behaviour.
In addition to the report, we have created a supplementary set of in-depth findings about each of the main problem issues for agency workers in the sector, and our recommendations how to address them.