TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'The TUC is shocked by this exploitation of migrant workers which is tantamount to modern slavery, and has formally asked the Government to investigate Focus Staff Limited, the gangmasters involved.

'This case underlines TUC concerns about the deregulation of agency workers, which allows rogue employers to flourish. Too many unscrupulous bosses are getting rich by exploiting migrant workers and the full force of the law should be used against those profiting from such appalling ill treatment.

'Everyone should be treated fairly and with dignity and respect, wherever they come from. Unions will be stepping up their efforts to recruit migrant workers to protect them from employers who seek to deny them a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.'

The TUC has today also and has written to HM Revenue & Customs National Minimum Wage enforcement unit urging a thorough investigation into the allegations raised by the BBC.

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