Fair Employment Fortnight – which is organised by a coalition of trade unions, advice organisations, faith groups and student unions – highlights “the link between low incomes, poor jobs and weak rights at work”, and runs from March 17-31.

“Most of us know people in Southampton who are struggling to get by even though they are working,” said Labour MP for Southampton Itchen John Denham. “Across the country, more families in poverty are in work than out of work. One reason is that many jobs offer poor pay, and employees have few effective rights in work.
 
“Many jobs don’t pay a living wage and some don’t even obey the law and pay the minimum wage. More and more jobs are offered through agencies; work is often insecure and rights are not respected. Zero-hours contracts are being abused. Migrant workers are too often exploited while local people may feel wages are being undercut.
 
“And recent changes in the law have made it much harder to get rights enforced at tribunal.”

A telephone advice line will be available for anybody who is having issues at work: people can phone 07835 103 090 and trained volunteers will ring them back with advice.

Southampton Advice and Representation Centre (SARC) will be running free training on March 17, from 5.45pm, for anyone who wishes to learn how to advise people on their employment rights.

And a publicity event also takes place at the Bargate at 10am on Saturday, March 22.

For more information or to book a place on the training phone 023 8033 9807.