The TUC has published a guide to the UK's key enforcement agencies to raise awareness of basic rights at work amidst concerns that thousands of workers across the UK are being exploited.

The TUC believes that at any time at least 150,000 workers are not being paid the minimum wage when they are due it, and that the onset of the recession has made the problem worse. Therefore awareness of enforcement agencies and what they can do is more important than ever before, the TUC argues.

Enforcing Basic Workplace Rights, which is aimed at union officials and reps, outlines the role that the UK's four main statutory enforcement agencies - the HMRC National Minimum Wage enforcement team, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and the Health and Safety Executive, plays in enforcing basic workplace rights. It also outlines the powers of enforcement officers and what sanctions employers can face for breaking employment law.

The guide also includes information about the government's Pay and Work Rights helpline - a confidential helpline which provides help and advice on basic employment rights and also provides a single point of entry for those wanting to access the statutory enforcement agencies.