Some of Britain’s top business brains have joined forces with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) to tackle worker exploitation including low pay, long hours and unsafe conditions.

Paul Myners, the former fund manager who now chairs property group Land Securities, and Belinda Earl, chief executive of high-end retailer Jaeger, have joined senior trades union officials to tackle the issue.

They have formed a new commission to investigate what they call “shocking exploitation” and “vulnerable working” in some UK businesses. The group, which also includes Kevin Beston, chief executive of engineering group Serco, will look at improving legal protection for employees.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, another commission member, said: “Most people will have the odd grumble about their job, but are treated fairly most of the time.

"But some workers still experience rank exploitation that Charles Dickens would recognise. Most of the time their experience is hidden, but we have had a recent rash of shocking exposures of poor treatment.

“Our new commission plans shine a light on Britain’s hidden exploited workers, and work out what the Government, employers and unions should be doing to protect them.”

In a report released to coincide with today’s launch, the TUC claims that as many as one in five workers could be vulnerable to poor pay and conditions.

Explore Law

• Columnists

• Law Panel

• Law Reports

• Student Law

Times Recommends

• Linklaters trounces rivals as UK's biggest firm
• Clifford Chance profits plunge 37 per cent
• Casual drinkers hit by spread of 'dry' zones