‘Rights on Site’: campaign launched to tackle injustices seen in the construction industry

A new campaign to tackle work-related rights within the construction industry is being launched this month (November) as experts fear workers’ rights are being dismissed.

‘Rights on Site’ is a campaign launched by National Accident Helpline which aims to address the treatment of construction workers should they have an accident at work or be facing any unfair treatment. It will highlight the need for a change in culture and enable workers to get the justice they deserve. An online poll was conducted to understand the culture around making personal injury claims and 42% of British male workers said that the prospect of getting justice would be an influential factor in making their decision.
As well as addressing the injustices, the campaign will also explore the harsh realities of “blacklisting” - a secret vetting system applied by some construction firms. Despite the Employment Regulations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 making blacklisting in relation to trade union activity illegal in the UK, the fear of being blacklisted is still prevalent today and it is preventing workers from making a personal injury claim.
Speaking of the campaign, Jonathan White, Legal and Compliance Director at National Accident Helpline, said: “No one should ever feel bullied or shamed into not coming forward about any unfair treatment or injustice that they’ve experienced on the job – it’s a matter of doing the right thing.
“Ultimately, we go to work to earn a living, and if that job for some unfortunate reason results in an injury through no fault of our own, we are entitled to carry on living our lives without worrying about bills or supporting our family.

“We believe that ‘Rights on Site’ will help right many wrongs that construction industry workers currently face. In the coming weeks, we will be calling for justice and sharing thoughts from the workers themselves who have witnessed it first-hand.”

National Accident Helpline has been speaking to workers within the construction industry to identify the challenges they face and the impact it has on their lives. For further guidance on understanding your rights on site or to find out more information about the campaign, please visit https://www.national-accident-helpline.co.uk/news/post/tackling-injustice-construction-industry. You can also follow the hashtag #RightsonSite.