COUNCILLORS are being urged to protect the rights of construction workers.

A report to go before West Dunbartonshire Council's full meeting tomorrow asks elected members to endorse the Construction Charter, "which is designed to promote and enhance the terms and conditions of construction workers employed within this industry".

The charter, which seeks to eradicate poor employment practices while promoting health, safety and well-being within the industry, is the brainchild of unions UNITE and GMB, who have been campaigning to improve standards in the area since 2014.

If councillors agree to back the plan, it will see the local authority implement its own charter setting out minimum standards which all future contractors would be expected to adhere to.

As the "majority of contractors" currently working with WDC do no adhere to such standards, council officials would assist them in beginning to implement the new plans.

The changes would include: Health and Safety at work procedures; • Direct employment of workers on PAYE, Class 1 National Insurance and under a Contract of Employment; • Community Benefit clause detailing the local community benefits the Council can expect if awarded the contract • Details of the skill level of their employees and how these meet the requirements set out in tender documents; • Certification that the company do not engage in the practice of blacklisting; and • Provisions in relation to pay and conditions, including payment of living wage, paid leave, sick pay, access to a pension scheme, accident compensation and death in service benefits.

However, there are fears it could impact companies who use self-employed or agency staff.

The report reads: "There is some concern that the charter may marginalise local SME contractors, some of whom use self-employed or agency tradespeople to deal with peaks and troughs in the work flow. "It is our intention to discuss their means of adopting the charter with each of these companies individually taking into consideration the best interests of the council, the company and their workers."

It adds: "[There's] a risk in relation to higher cost tender submissions.

"However, there is a risk of reputational damage in not adopting this national agreement not to mention the potential referral to the SJC for non-compliance with a national provision."

Councillors will decide on whether to implement the charter at 5pm tomorrow in the council's Garshake offices.