Call to end the exploitation of supply teachers by unscrupulous agencies
The NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union in the UK, has today called at the TUC Congress in Liverpool for action to be taken against the umbrella companies making massive profits through the exploitation of supply teachers.
Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, said:
“It is nothing short of a scandal that off shore umbrella companies are siphoning off taxpayers’ money through tax avoidance.
“Their massive profits are secured through the exploitation of supply teachers. These companies put maximising profit before the welfare and wages of staff.
“Supply teachers are a vital resource for schools.
“The Coalition is fully aware of all the problems but chooses to ignore the flouting of the agency workers’ directive, the failure to pay the appropriate rates for qualified teacher and the unnecessarily high charges these agencies make to schools.
“Supply teachers who have the courage to raise concerns are blacklisted and denied work.
“In support of supply teachers across the country, the NASUWT has now given them the opportunity to turn the tables on these ruthless employers by rating the company on a SupplyAdvisor website, exposing exploitative practices.
Brian Cookson, National Treasurer of the NASUWT, speaking in the debate at the TUC, told delegates:
“The NASUWT calls upon the TUC to campaign with us to close the loopholes many of the companies exploit and to secure the enforcement of legislation to end exploitation and ensure supply teachers receive their rights and entitlements.
“These ruthless companies are not only exploiting a vital workforce, but are also draining the public purse in order to inflate their profits.
“Children need the skills and expertise of supply teachers. Supply teachers deserve to be supported and protected.”
-01.png){kind=spacer}