The government has launched a helpline to allow staff to report unscrupulous employers over illegal pay rates and mistreatment.

There will also be a new Fair Employment Enforcement Board made up of trade unionists and business leaders that will aim to oversee the enforcement of the minimum wage, health and safety legislation and regulation of employment agencies and gangmasters.

"There are still dark corners of the labour market where rogue employers seek to mistreat their workers and more needs to be done to safeguard people's rights," said employment minister Pat McFadden.

The move was welcomed by the unions but they also expressed regret at the failure to extend the Gangmasters' Licensing Authority's remit to include care workers and the hospitality and construction industries.