Sector-wide collaboration to improve workers’ experience on Seasonal Workers’ Scheme

The UK’s largest supermarkets, Seasonal Workers’ Scheme (SWS) operators, Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Association of Labour Providers (ALP) and others from across the horticultural sector have launched an innovative mobile solution to help workers gain quality and safe seasonal work in the UK.

The Just Good Work app will provide clear advice and guidance for workers in their own language, while increasing transparency of recruitment and employment across the scheme.

This industry collaboration recognises the need to ensure that seasonal workers are provided with accurate information during recruitment, with safe and comfortable housing, decent working conditions, are treated fairly and with dignity, are protected from hidden exploitation risks during recruitment and on farm, and have a positive experience when working in UK horticulture so that they wish to return next season.

Just Good Work is a mobile app that provides workers with critical information and access to help at every stage of their recruitment and employment journey.

The SWS version of the app has launched with sector-wide information and reporting. New languages including Russian, Indonesian, Nepali, Serbian and Vietnamese have been added in addition to Albanian, Bulgarian, Gujarati, Romanian, Polish and Ukrainian which were already available in the app.

The platform will ensure workers receive consistent guidance from when they first start looking for a job, through to when they return home at the end of the season – regardless of their recruiter or employer.

Just Good Work is freely available for all workers and employers in all sectors, including all stages of the agricultural and horticultural sector supply chain.

Simple spot questions throughout the app will provide automatic advice and signposting to further help or support for workers, providing a live picture of recruitment and working conditions across the scheme. This proactive approach aims to provide faster pinpointing of issues as well as highlight what is working well and the effectiveness of interventions. 

Pro-Force, Concordia, AG Recruitment and Fruitful Jobs said: “We are delighted to be working collaboratively with key supply chain stakeholders to achieve what is a crucial and mutually beneficial goal – increased worker knowledge of their employment rights. As operators of the Seasonal Worker Scheme, we are committed to continuing to develop and support programmes which benefit workers and reduce the risk of exploitation.”

GLAA Head of Prevention and Partnerships Frank Hanson said: “Our aim is to prevent and protect workers from being exploited, whether it be for their labour or from poor working conditions. We know one of the most effective ways of doing this is to ensure workers understand their rights and this app is a valuable addition to the wealth of information and resources already out there.

“It’s also pleasing to see industry working with agencies like the GLAA and committing to do more to ensure workers are treated fairly and have a positive experience of working in the UK."

David Camp, Chief Executive, Association of Labour Providers said: “The ALP is delighted to continue our collaboration with the Just Good Work app to support seasonal horticultural workers to have clear information on all aspects of working on UK farms during the whole of their recruitment and employment experience.

"Working with all stakeholders and building in workers’ feedback will enable us to continuously improve the app as a valuable resource to support seasonal workers in having a positive experience working in UK horticulture.”