polish workers?

Question

I work in a local factory in a deprived area and we were told that the management would be bringing in "hard working english speaking polish workers" what actually happened was polish guys were brought in with no grasp on the english language except what we have taught them ,which makes our particular work very dangerous because of the language barrier. The guys are all sound and pleasant enough but work is now unsafe....has anyone got any views on this?

The thing is that we work on a bonus orientated wage and they are certainly NOT
hard working and just seem happy to have a job but as this was a management decision to bring them in the first place they dont want to get rid of them as it would look bad on them

I dont know exactly how the hse could help as we have already had a fatality in the workplace(although that was just before the polish guys appeared) all the hse done about that was put standards in place that would not have helped the accident in the first place. Now all we are waiting on is another accident waiting to happen but now nobody wants to say anything as i would sound as if we were just down on the polish guys which is not really the case ,what we are raging about is the fact they do not know a word that we are saying, I must add that our workplace does not recognise Unions

Answer 1

In a dangerous working environment, a manager that can not explain the dangers and proper working practices to a worker is a liability.

No-one who can not explain themselves clearly and in a way that everyone can understand should not be given a managerial role.

Can you imagine what would happen if a new worker lost a hand in an accident caused by insufficient health and safety information being given? The company who employed the manager would be 100% to blame and could (and should!) be sued for every penny (cent?) they have.

Answer 2

If you think the Safety of your job has been compromised make a call to the Health and Safety Executive. It is your employers legal duty to ensure that you have a safe and comfortable environment to work in, if he is not doing this he is breaking the law. The Health and Safety at Work act covers every person in the UK That has a job, including people that are self employed.It is your choice, have an accident, and be told that it was your own fault that you should have reported to the HSE. There are 2 many employers still getting away with this kind of treatment.

Answer 3

If accidents are occuring often in this certain job of yours, then you should contact your health advisers, and list a complaint of these events that happen. Sorry I don't have the site for this. As for bringing new polish workers, it's good they are getting work, but with the things you said they shouldn't put more people in there if it's dangerous. Try to communicate a health inspector ASAP.

Answer 4

This is a very small planet. How many European languages do you speak? Little Island Britain needs to realise that it's two way traffic...what goes around comes around. Blame your own Government and greedy company owners, not the honest workers, who like us, have the right to move freely within the European community to live and work. It suits the British government and the fat cats if the majority of people are ignorant to the truth and our European neighbours. I mean, if we were all switched on there probably wouldn't be many people left in Britain to pay all these stealth taxes etc. There's no country or power without the people. To hijack one of the governments ad-campaigns, "Those who can....leave!!"

Answer 5

i know how you feel i had the same problem with a job i had and i was the supervisor. i was also told they would speak english but the polish had no idea..am sure you know yourself how hard it is to tell sumone who dont speak english by hand signal. i tryed to work by heath and safety rule's but it was impossible i complained to the boss's that it was a safety issue but they just ignored me. a week later 3 people were crushed 1 with a broken back because of communication problem( guess who got the blame) i was not even in the same room when it happened i tryed my best with them but it was no use i lasted 6 days after that it was a nitemare.. i dont have a problem with them working in this country, they are good workers but they should be forced to learn standard english before they are allowed to work in this country

Answer 6

In the late 80's, Ford in Dagenham had to give their shop floor workers English lessons because such a high percentage of them could not read the signs on how to turn the machines off in case of an accident.

And you are complaining that Poles can't speak English! At least they work their arses off.

Answer 7

It's cheap labour mate, Same is happening in France, get in the Polish/Portugese (?) cheapo's. They will work for as little as 4-6€ an hour

Answer 8

what's the Polish eqivilant for " arsehole " get your arsehole down around to three the places the place Polish human beings carry out and ask them , you do no longer might desire to be too informative approximately your cleansing woman , merely ask them in the event that they think of one million pound fifty an hour could be an outstanding salary for an arsehole to pay somebody on an hourly foundation and that they in return shall probable ask you to describe arsehole and as they get the assumption some certainly one of them shall probable say , " oh , in Poland we are saying . . . . . . . . . . . . . for arsehole " . in keeping with possibility in case you pick for to alter right into a greater useful style of arsehole why do no longer you promise your self that previously you utilize absolutely everyone to bathe your workplace you shall promise your self which you shall locate and get and save an workplace cleansing interest for a minimum of 6 months for the little greater useful than your person very own arsehole furnish and confirm that the income is a minimum of two kilos in keeping with hour and on the top of 6 months you have an theory of what it has meant to artwork for an arsehole on the fairly greater useful arsehole income than you your aresehole self have presented yet not at all the less you too shall have gained the understanding and the journey of having worked for an arsehole too , albeit an exceedingly greater useful arsehole than your self . as for depended on , a smack up the component of the ear with the flat of a shovel ought to no longer be the politically appropriate or perfect answer yet in keeping with possibility in case you took this question around to a construction internet site the place a number of those each and every physique is working for a residing it ought to be the " authentic " answer , and at that element you ought to understand which you will probable count on those human beings to tell you the fact ! ! ! !

Answer 9

yes I know the polish are very nice BUT ..think if you are going to work in UK learn the language its important why should we learn yours this is UK we speak English and you are eroding what our unions fought for years to get us health and safety and a fair wage

Answer 10

The polish are here to stay I'm afraid. So everyone should get used to the idea.