International agency Oxfam today welcomed the conclusions of the TUC's Commission on Vulnerable Employment (COVE) and called for government action to help millions of vulnerable low-paid workers.

"Oxfam believes that everyone in the UK has the right to a secure income and dignified working conditions," said Kate Wareing, Oxfam's Director for UK Poverty. "But the TUC report Hard Work, Hidden Lives reinforces Oxfam's own experience of working with vulnerable workers: that millions of people in the UK are being paid less than the minimum wage and are not receiving the rights and benefits they are legally entitled to; many others experience constant insecurity because of their status as temporary or agency workers."

"The government wants work to be an effective route out of poverty; but the reality is that there's an invisible army of exploited workers in the UK, doing some of the lowest paid, most insecure and unpopular jobs in the country - jobs which do not give them enough to live on and affect their health and well-being," continued Wareing.

"Oxfam is calling for better legislative protection for vulnerable workers and stronger enforcement of existing regulations to ensure that all those in jobs are able to earn enough to live on in the safe, dignified conditions, appropriate to a rich country in the 21st century."

Oxfam is calling for:

Stronger enforcement of the national minimum wage;

More action on dangerous working conditions in low-paid sectors, including more on-site inspections by the Health and Safety Executive.

An extension of the Gangmasters Licensing Act, which currently regulates the employment of migrant workers in the agricultural, horticultural and shellfish industries to cover other industries employing migrant workers.

Temporary and agency workers to be paid the same as direct workers and have access to the same employment rights and protection from unfair treatment.

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For further information, and to arrange interviews with Kate Wareing and the migrant workers with whom Oxfam works contact: Louie Fooks on 01865 473280 or 07789946562