Working in the the UK construction industry
Information for migrant workers to the construction industry, The UK Government is keen to ensure that migrant workers coming to the UK are aware of their employment rights and responsibilities.
Information for Polish Construction workers
On 1 May 2004 Poland joined the European Union. As a Polish citizen you therefore have the right to work in the United Kingdom . You should apply to register with the Home Office Worker Registration Scheme as soon as you have started a new job.
How do I register to work in the construction industry in the UK ?
As soon as you start working in construction in the UK you must complete application form WRS giving your name, address, date of birth, nationality and employment details. You can get an application form and more information by visiting www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk or www.workingintheuk.gov.uk .
With your first application you will need to send a letter from your employer confirming that you are working, two passport photos, your passport or ID card and a payment of £90. If you do not apply within one month of starting a job your employment will become illegal.
What are temporary construction work agencies?
One way of finding construction work in the UK is through a temporary work agency, either based in abroad in Poland, or in the UK . Temporary work agencies provide workers to ‘user companies'. The agency recruits the construction workers, pays their wages and may provide accommodation and transport. The actual work, however, is done for the user company and that company decides how the work is carried out. So if you enter into a contract with a temporary agency it will pay your wages making any necessary deductions for tax and National Insurance. Meanwhile the agency has entered into& a contract with a company to supply temporary workers to it. You will work for that company, and be subject to its control and direction.
Construction Workers Salary - How much will I be paid?
Nearly all workers aged 16 years or over, who have left school, are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW). If you are 16 or 17 years old you must receive at least £3.40 an hour. If you are 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old you must receive at least £4.60 an hour and if you are aged 22 or over you must receive at least £5.52 an hour. These are the rates from 1 October 2007. The rates usually increase on 1 October each year. More information please click on construction workers salary uk.
Will I have to pay UK tax and National Insurance?
UK tax will be payable on your wages for UK work. Your employer will make the necessary arrangements and deduct the money from your wages.
When you work in the UK , either with an agency or a direct employer you will have to pay UK social security contributions (known as National Insurance) to the UK . Your employer will make the necessary arrangements and deduct the money from your wages. If you are liable to pay National Insurance you will need a UK National Insurance number which you can apply for at your local Job Centre Plus office.
Polish Construction workers National Insurance
Polish and Lithuanian workers will not have to pay National Insurance in the UK if you are entitled to a form E101 from the Polish Social Insurance authority (ZUS). You may qualify for an E101 if you normally work for an employer in Poland and that employer sends you to the UK to work, the work is not expected to last for more than 12 months at the outset and you are not being sent to replace another worker. There are also certain conditions on your employer, requiring them to have significant activities in Poland . The form E101 will confirm you pay social security contributions to Poland and will prevent a demand for UK National Insurance contributions. If you do not have a valid E101 you will be required to pay contributions in the UK
If you enter into a contract in the UK , either with an agency or a direct employer you will have to pay National Insurance to the UK . Your employer will make the necessary arrangements and deduct the money from your wages. If you are paying tax and National Insurance you will have a National Insurance number.
Make sure you know what this number is. Your employer should help you here, if not go to the nearest Jobcentre Plus. In addition to paying UK tax, you may also have to pay tax in Poland if you are resident there for tax purposes. In that case, if the tax you pay in the UK is less than the tax due on the same income in Poland you will have to pay the difference to Poland . Further advice is available from your local tax office (Urzad Skarbowy) in Poland . Please click for for more information on construction workers tax in the uk.
What if I fall ill/get injured?
You are generally entitled to free treatment from the UK National Health Service, but certain costs are due from patients for prescribed medicines, dental treatment and some opticians' fees. To claim this treatment you will need to have form E128, provided you pay social security contributions to Poland . The form E128, which should be completed before you leave Poland , is used in the UK to confirm entitlement to National Health Service treatment. You can get the form from your local NFZ (National Health Fund) Unit.
If you come to the UK to work and are liable to pay UK National Insurance contributions the form E128 will not apply to you. You will be able to obtain healthcare under the UK National Health Service without it. Contact your local HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office in the UK to find out more. You will need your National Insurance number to make a claim.
If you are not paying UK contributions and become sick or pregnant contact your local Social Security office for advice about State benefits.
Information for Lithuanian Construction workers
On 1 May 2004 Lithuania joined the European Union. As a Lithuanian citizen you therefore have the right to work in the United Kingdom . You should apply to register with the Home Office Worker Registration Scheme as soon as you have started a new job.
What are temporary construction work agencies?
One way of finding work in the UK is through a temporary work agency, either based in Lithuania or in the UK . Temporary work agencies provide workers to ‘user companies'. The agency recruits the workers, pays their wages and may provide accommodation and transport. The actual work, however, is done for the user company and that company decides how the work is carried out. So if you enter into a contract with a temporary agency it will pay your wages making any necessary deductions for tax and National Insurance. Meanwhile the agency has entered into a contract with a company to supply temporary workers to it. You will work for that company, and be subject to its control and direction.
How much will I be paid in the construction sector?
Nearly all workers aged 16 years or over, who have left school, are entitled to the National Minimum Wage (NMW). If you are 16 or 17 years old you must receive at least £3.40 an hour. If you are 18, 19, 20 or 21 years old you must receive at least £4.60 an hour and if you are aged 22 or over you must receive at least £5.52 an hour. These are the rates from 1 October 2007. The rates usually increase on 1 October each year.
Will I have to pay UK tax and National Insurance?
UK tax will be payable on your wages for UK work. Your employer will make the necessary arrangements and deduct the money from your wages. You will not have to pay National Insurance in the UK if your contract with a temporary work agency was signed in Lithuania and you pay your social security contributions in Lithuania . You will need a form E101 (available from any regional State Patient Fund office). The form E101 will confirm you pay social security contributions to Lithuania and will prevent a demand for UK National Insurance contributions.
In addition to paying UK tax, you may also have to pay tax in Lithuania if you are resident there for tax purposes. In that case, if the tax you pay in the UK is less than the tax due on the same income in Lithuania , you will have to pay the difference to Lithuania . Further advice is available from the Lithuanian Tax Inspectorate. More on construction workers tax
Construction workers UK Links
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