Tens of thousands of the most vulnerable workers are being exploited by rogue employers Citizens Advice has warned.

Rooting out the Rogues report, out today from Citizens Advice and Citizens Advice Scotland, says gaps in the current system are allowing unscrupulous employers to act with “near impunity” and calls for a “fair employment commission” with the legal powers and resources to secure individual workers their rights and bring bad employers to account.

Both charities say rogues not paying tax and national insurance are putting good employers at a competitive disadvantage, forcing some to cut corners or risk going out of business.

Out of over half a million employment related cases dealt by UK Citizens Advice bureaux last year, 60% are cases where statutory workplace rights have been denied, such as the statutory right to four weeks paid holiday per year, denial of statutory sick leave and pay and the reduction of often already low wages to illegal levels by excessive deductions for accommodation, transport and other “services”.

Workers may also be required to work excessively long hours or are denied proper rest breaks, be summarily dismissed simply for being pregnant or not receive wages owed after leaving employment.

Those most at risk include pregnant women, migrant workers and those who – on account of their age, disability or lack of skills – face the greatest challenge in finding alternative employment.

The report highlights how the combined remit of the four statutory bodies currently tasked with enforcing workers’ rights is far from comprehensive, leaving many workers and issues unprotected. It adds that there is little personal incentive for those who are covered to make a complaint.

It also said the Employment Tribunal system, the only option left for many after raising a formal grievance, is also letting vulnerable workers down.

David Harker Citizens Advice Chief Executive said:

“While the vast majority of employers try hard to meet their legal obligations, our evidence shows that there are still far too many rogues out there, flouting the law, ignoring rules without sanction and profiting from vulnerable workers.”