Construction workers push for better pensions deal

UCATT is campaigning for some 500,000 workers who will not be allowed to join the personal accounts scheme because they are deemed self-employed.

A UCATT spokesman said these people were "falsely self-employed" because they worked for construction companies under contract-based employment rights.

He said: "They still have a boss they need to report to. They still go to a place of work. We are calling on the government to tackle the problem and not to allow these workers to miss out on pensions. The message is that self-employed people should not be excluded from personal accounts."

UCATT said many of these "falsely self-employed" workers were not eligible for the basic state pension either, due to intermissions between contracts and National Insurance contribution breaks.

"These workers have reduced pension rights, often (basic state pension) is the only thing they can rely on. And now we are been told there is no alternative pension provision. We are very supportive of personal accounts and what it aims to achieve. But is should be accessible to all workers and not exclude the self-employed," he said.

The trade union seconded a motion on occupational pensions put forward by GMB at the Trades Union Congress’ conference in Brighton this week (PP Online, September 9.)

UCATT has met with the government to discuss these issues and is planning to meet with pensions reform minister Mike O’Brien soon.