Danish firms accused of underpaying workers

The UK's largest union has visited Denmark to protest what it considers exploitation of workers.

Published: 11.04.17 at 11:32

Danish construction firms including power plant manufacturers are underpaying their workers and undercutting UK pay rates, say British unions Unite and GMB. They accuse BWSC and Babcock Vølund of exploiting migrant workers via subcontractors, who are paying up to 61 percent lower salaries than the collective agreements dictate. According to the unions, the employees receive as little as DKK 62.75 per hour, where including a bonus it should amount to DKK 168.6 per hour.

The unions have written an open letter to the Danish ambassador to the UK requesting an investigation into "exploitation and wage undercutting by two Danish companies working in the UK."

The issue is not new. One year ago, employees protested in front of several of Babcock Vølund's UK projects due to the firms use of cheap, skilled labor hired by Croation Duro Dakovic. Since 2015, the union has protested that BWSC is not following the collective agreements or allowing union representatives to visit their sites.

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