NASUWT: Teachers being exploited by unscrupulous supply agencies
Commenting on feedback from teachers attending the NASUWT UK Supply Teachers' Seminar held today (9 March) in Birmingham, Chris Keates, General Secretary of NASUWT, the largest union representing supply teachers throughout the UK, said:
"Supply teachers have today expressed deep anger about their treatment at the hands of private sector supply agencies.
"The practices of many offshore umbrella companies are proving to be damaging to supply teachers who are being forced into signing dubious contracts which seek to deny them basic legal rights and entitlements and allow these agencies to dodge their tax and national insurance liabilities.
"Over three-quarters of supply teachers polled at the event said they had been asked to sign contracts with tax-avoiding umbrella companies or face the prospect of being denied access to work.
"Many supply teachers told us that they are simply too frightened to speak out about their treatment by some of these agencies due to threats of "blacklisting" by agencies which have a monopoly over the provision of an essential support service to schools.
"It was equally disturbing to hear that many supply teachers are being asked to sign contracts which include gagging clauses designed to cover up a range of illegal practices.
"Whilst supply teachers are being short-changed, schools and taxpayers are also being ripped-off by these supply agencies.
"The NASUWT is determined to continue our campaign for justice for supply teachers and to expose and challenge those agencies and companies that are flouting the law.
"The government has to accept that it has a responsibility to insist on robust regulation of supply agencies to ensure respect for employment rights, to guarantee quality educational provision for all children and young people and to deliver value for money for schools and the taxpayer."
ENDS
Lena Davies
Press and Media Officer
NASUWT
0121 457 6250 / 07867 392 746
lena.davies@mail.nasuwt.org.uk
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