Unite Response to Ed Balls' Comment on EU Immigration

LONDON, June 6, 2010 - Unite Assistant General Secretary, Les Bayliss said:

"Ed Balls is absolutely correct. The current situation of immigration
from the EU combined with weak employment protection in this country has led
to widespread exploitation of workers in the construction industry. Wage
levels are being undercut and national bargaining agreements are being
ignored. We need to tighten up on regulations to protect domestic workers'
ability to get jobs and to earn a decent living, whilst at the same time
allowing skilled workers from the EU to come here without fear of being
cheated by unscrupulous employers."

Les Bayliss has national responsibility for the construction industry
including the Olympic site in London. Unite is Britain's biggest union for
construction workers.

For further details contact Ciaran Naidoo +44(0)7768-931-315