British opposition leader Ed Miliband is pledging to crack down on the exploitation of foreign workers should his Labour Party win the May 7 election.
Miliband says he will create a task force to investigate abuse of foreign workers, many of whom come from the European Union's formerly communist states, and increase prosecutions of employers who fail to pay the minimum wage.
The Labour leader, speaking during a campaign appearance in northwest England on Saturday, said the low pay and poor working conditions forced on some migrants allow unscrupulous employers to undercut local workers.
Immigration is a key election issue. Both Labour and the Conservatives are trying to stem gains by the upstart U.K. Independence Party, which wants Britain to leave the European Union in part to restrict immigration.
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