Lithuanian workers on a Skanska PFI hospital site in Mansfield took home £8.80 for a 40-hour week, according to construction union Ucatt.

The 12 workers, employed by drylining subcontractor Produm, were paid less than the agreed minimum wage and were charged excessive deductions for rent, tools and utility bills.

Some workers received less than £10 for their week’s work. Others were paid less than £100 for working more than 70 hours. Some are understood to be owed up to five weeks’ pay.

The conditions, which Ucatt described as “appalling systematic abuse of vulnerable migrant workers”, were uncovered at the £265m Mansfield Hospital in Nottinghamshire, being built by Skanska.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of Ucatt, said: “We have built up a large file of abuses of ganged workers. This is the worst we have seen, and the fact it has occurred on a PFI site, using taxpayers’ money, is scandalous.”

A spokesperson for Skanska said: “Skanska takes such issues very seriously. Since this information was brought to our attention we have worked with Ucatt to resolve these issues.”

Produm was unavailable for comment.