A new body aimed at helping protect firms from unscrupulous rivals has met for the first time.
The Fair Employment Enforcement Board is aimed at ensuring employees are fairly treated and legitimate businesses are not undercut through skulduggery.
It might interest business insurance customers to know that the group consists of representatives from industry, unions and the government.
Pat McFadden, employment and relations minister, said: "Denying workers basic rights on wages, leave and conditions is not only illegal, but cheats the majority of honest businesses. These practices must be stamped out."
Among the first tasks the board will undertake are the setting up of a single enforcement line to report mistreatment of workers and a campaign to raise the awareness of employment rights.
Groups involved in the scheme include the Trades Union Congress, Citizens Advice and the Confederation of British Industry.
Recently, the Agency Workers Directive was approved by the European Parliament.
Under the new rules, temporary staff in the UK receive the same rights as their permanent colleagues after they have been employed for 12 weeks.
