Union calls for change in laws
The UK's largest trade union has claimed 10% of workers never receive compensation awarded by employment tribunals because of "rogue employers".
Delegates from Unite told the group's annual conference in Manchester that a code of positive rights for workers should be brought in to replace "barbaric" employment laws and "anti-union" legislation.
Craig Singleton, from Yorkshire, said 1,500 people out of 15,000 awarded compensation at employment tribunals did not get their money as some employers, mainly in low-paid sectors such as catering, hospitality and retail, refused to stump up.
He told the meeting at least 10% of those refused payment were migrant workers and added: "The ability of rogue employers to withhold payment undermines the credibility of the system."
A Tribunals Service spokesman said: "The Ministry of Justice has recently introduced a new Employment Tribunal fast-track scheme designed to give workers extra help to ensure they receive their payments."