The lead contractor of a new gas fired plant being built on the Isle of Grain, has admitted Polish workers were not receiving the correct rate of pay.

The union Unite raised concerns about pay rates after it saw a contract issued by Alstom’s sub-contractor Remak to a Polish worker. Once translated it revealed the worker was being paid almost £4 below the national rate thus breaking UK law.

Alstom says workers are now being paid the correct rate of pay.

A spokesman for the company said: "We have addressed the concerns raised about the pay rates of Polish workers employed by our sub-contractors at the Isle of Grain power station construction site.

"These workers are now being paid the correct rate of pay and we have made it clear to our subcontractors that we will not tolerate any breaches of national agreements on pay and conditions.

"This issue was picked up as part of an established process to check that sub-contractors are complying with national agreements on pay.

"We are reinforcing the need for all our sub-contractors to be fully compliant with these agreements at all times."

The Isle of Grain has been a focus of demonstrations by workers protesting over the use of foreign workers in the UK.

Unite claim over 600 people have applied for work on the contract but have not been awarded jobs.

Workers refused access are expected to hold a demonstration outside Chatham job centre next Thursdayand another demonstration will take place outside the power station on March 24.

Unite is calling on the government to insist that companies applying for contracts on public infrastructure projects to sign up to Corporate Social Responsibility agreements which commit to fair access for UK labour.