THE Considerate Constructors Scheme has launched a new Monitors’ Checklist, featuring a number of new questions to help the construction sector tackle issues such as illegal workers and modern slavery on site and in supply chains, as well as attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce.
The Checklist, which came into force on February 1, is the main criteria used by Scheme Monitors to score sites, companies and suppliers’ performance against the Code of Considerate Practice.
There will be a three month transition period until May 1 2016, to ensure firms have enough time to adapt to the changes.
New questions include:
- How does the site assess and monitor the legitimacy and competency of the workforce?
- What is the site doing to improve its image and the overall image of the industry to attract and retain the workforce necessary for the future of construction?
Immigration Minister James Brokenshire said, “Our work to stamp out illegal working involves close collaborative working with lead industry bodies. We are fully supportive of genuine efforts, such as this scheme, to drive compliance with the rules. Employers within the construction sector have a crucial and ongoing part to play in helping to combat illegal working by ensuring they carry out the straightforward ‘Right to Work’ checks on potential employees.”
Chief Executive Edward Hardy added, “Scheme registered sites, companies, suppliers and their clients are demonstrating a continued eagerness to keep raising the bar of considerate construction and improve industry standards across the UK. The new Checklist will be a significant driver in helping to achieve this goal.
“The Checklist is reviewed annually to ensure it remains current, relevant and challenging. The new questions including those around the legitimacy of the workforce and attracting and retaining skills are clearly crucial issues for the future of the industry. The Considerate Constructors Scheme is delighted to be at the forefront of challenging the sector to improve performance in these areas”.
