The TUC hosted an information evening for migrant workers in Hull’s Trade Union Studies Centre last night, with the emphasis on helping the eastern-European community understand their rights better.

Humberside, and Hull in particular, has been a popular destination for migrant workers because it is one of the main centres of food production in the country.

Along with some traditional Polish food there was advice on housing, joining a union and improving English skills.

And is quite clear is just how crucial language skills are, with almost all of the problems migrants have faced exacerbated by a lack of English.

Without good English there are obvious implications for health and safety while at work, but better language skills help integration, and mean people understand their rights and are able to better communicate problems they have to the authorities – meaning far less exploitation.

Bearing this in mind, East Riding College deserves congratualtions for its Get On At Work programme, which offers literacy, numeracy and langauge programmes. Ever since Hull became a popular destination for migrants they have been providing a variety of English lessons, many at the request of the employers themselves.

An additional bonus from these lessons is that some employers are seeing the benefits a commitment to adult education can have and are now offering all their workers the chance to learn and gain qualifications at work.