The largest meat supplier for the supermarket chain Asda has been accused of discrimination against British workers following the publication of a job advert stating candidates “must speak Polish”.
Cooked meat manufacturer Forza AW is alleged by the Mail of Sunday to have turned away UK applicants for the job on the factory production line in East Anglia.
The firm has stated it called for applicants to speak the language as its health and safety training was to be conducted in Polish.
However, the group may have acted illegally by discriminating against UK nationals, as the Evening Standard reports the Equality and Human Rights Commission has published a report stating it had uncovered evidence suggesting foreign workers often have inadequate health and safety protection.
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Furthermore, the report stated many such workers have experienced physical and verbal abuse in the workplace, yet often do not voice their concerns as they do not know their rights.
Commenting on the job advert, a spokesman for the Government Equalities Office said: “Under the 1976 Race Relations Act, unless there is a genuine need for a worker to speak a particular language it is against the law to require that they should do so as a condition of employing them.”
It is believed the Equality and Human Rights Commission will now contact Forza AW about the allegations.
Posted by Colette Paxton
