Illegal confiscation of wages?

[Segilla]

A man has applied for a semi-skilled job. Of its type, there are few and far about and wages very low due to pressure from temporary workers from abroad. He has been offered a job by an Agency who tell him the first two weeks will be unpaid. This may be a cunning way of getting round regulations, effectively confiscating his wages - which the employer is legally bound to pay. The Agency by this device is charging him a fee? Is this a well-known dodge?

[buildersmate]

I agree this does sound like an agency fee in disguise. And I don't think it is acceptable - but not for reasons of illegal confiscation of wages.
With an Agency, the employment contract is between the man and the agency - and the agency is duty bound to pay at least the legal minimum hourly rate.
Unless you are going to tell me that the circumstances are different?

[Segilla]

Thanks. All I know I set out in the question, but i'll try to probe further.