Construction minister Brian Wilson this week praised Building’s coverage of the industry’s race problems and called for employers to take action.
Wilson, speaking at the Respect for People conference last week, said: “I am concerned, as I hope you are, by reports of individuals being subjected to racial abuse.

“The point was made by one employer, which I wholeheartedly endorse, that employers must take decisive action to tackle such problems on their sites.”

Building revealed this month that Najjif Shah, a labourer who was born in Preston, Lancashire, had won an employment tribunal claim for racial harassment against subcontractor WPB on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link.

Construction Industry Training Board figures show that blacks and Asians are under-represented across the industry with only 2.9% of the workforce, a figure that has not risen for three years.