One of the main concerns about the migration of EU Citizens from the eight new eastern European countries is the potential for exploitation by unscrupulous employers, which is why it so good to see the UK ’s unions adapting quickly to deal with this new challenge.

This week’s Tribune reveals that my union, the GMB, has opened a branch in Southampton dedicated to migrant workers, with the city’s Polish community making up the large majority of its members. The initiative intends to help migrants improve their English, understand their rights, and build their confidence and skills. By helping migrant workers understand their rights British workers are also protected from unfair competition

The T&G also led the campaign for gangmaster legislation, which will protect casual workers, when it is introduced later this month.

The TUC have also released a guide to employment rights in Europe which you can read by clicking here (pdf). More information is available, in a variety of languages, on the special migration page of the TUC’s website, which you can access here.