How is the construction industry tackling recruitment fees for workers

A common characteristic of modern slavery is the charging of recruitment fees, particularly within the construction industry. In some cases, there are up to seven middle men who demand fees in exchange for organising work. This leads to poor workers being left in extreme debt, even before they begin working. The situation worsens when they do start work, as the money promised to support themselves and their families, goes straight back to recruiters, starting the cycle of modern day slavery. In this session, we aim to address what companies within the construction industry are doing to combat recruitment fees, through several initiatives, such as the ‘Employer Pays Principle’.