Illegal labour cannot be accepted – as is currently proving to be the case in some quarters
Research by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) has highlighted shocking, but not surprising, findings on the rise in illegal workers in the construction industry.
This poses a significant threat to many elements of the industry – especially health and safety, productivity and reputation.
The CCS research reveals that 33% of people working in the construction industry have suspected that illegal working had been present at a previous or current employer.
This may not be such a surprise – many MSite customers tell us there is a real problem of knowing who is on site and when, and if they are competent to do the task at hand.
Aside from legal and duty of care issues, this creates huge risk to project delivery because sites do not know if they have the required workers with the necessary skills and credentials for a job
Aside from the obvious legal and duty of care issues, this creates huge risk to project delivery because sites do not know if they have the required workers with the necessary skills and credentials for an assigned job.
Taking responsibility
The construction industry is now being asked to make a material contribution to national growth and development, and therefore performance needs to be as close to optimal as possible.
However, this will be extremely challenging without addressing and tackling head on the issue of illegal workers. Contractors must take responsibility and implement the available solutions to eliminate this widespread problem.
Digital platforms, combined with biometric access control, provide contractors with a ‘pre-site’ and ‘on-site’ solution, with data on workers’ right to work, skills and credentials before they arrive on site.
Identity verification and monitoring ensures transparency, tackling those willing to falsify information by taking advantage of the outdated manual onboarding processes some contractors still rely on.
The Building Safety Act could be a major catalyst for industry-wide change if the requirements for high-risk buildings cascade to all construction projects, with a new focus on competency.
Not only should workers be able to prove their right to work, but they should also be able to prove their qualifications and experience, which, combined, make them the right person for the job.
Greater transparency
This transparency should extend to who they work for to deter unscrupulous organisations.
The technology is available now and is proven to be successful in raising insight, awareness and productivity.
It’s time for all contractors to prevent unqualified workers being a danger to themselves, others on site and projects generally
It’s time for all contractors to prevent unqualified workers being a danger to themselves, others on site and projects generally.
This will also improve the reputation of construction, which some believe is affecting the recruitment of domestic workers into the industry at a time when the recruitment of domestic workers is so critical.
To overcome the current challenges and eradicate the presence of illegal workers, collective working should be embraced.
Instead of working in isolation, contractors should unanimously adopt new technologies and standards that will enable workforce data to move freely between businesses, removing the space where illegal practices can survive.
Robert Brent is CEO at MSite.
