Birmingham recruiter stopped from acting as a gangmaster

Mr Imran Riaz who applied for a "Gangmaster Licence‟ for a business trading as Brody Recruitment has been refused a licence as he could not demonstrate that he could run a compliant business.

Mr Riaz who intended to run the business from an address at Tree Acre Grove in Halesowen failed to meet or have any knowledge of a variety of basic employment laws. He made no notes or records of the advice given by the GLA officer at the interview and could not demonstrate an ability to comply with GLA licensing standards.

If Brody Recruitment is found to be operating without a licence, the GLA would take immediate enforcement action.

Paul Whitehouse Chairman of the GLA said:

“The law is there to protect workers and to ensure business requirements are met. These are basic rules that the vast majority of gangmasters have no problem with”.

“Those who break or bend the rules need to be dealt with to ensure that legitimate businesses and the workers do not suffer”.

Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agricultural, horticultural, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packing industries.

2. The majority of workers involved in these industries come from countries such as: Romania, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Latvia, Pakistan and Portugal.

3. So far, 1,985 labour providers hold a GLA licence. Over 100 licenses have been revoked (8 with immediate effect). One person and one business has been prosecuted for operating without a licence, with more prosecutions forthcoming.

4. The GLA stepped up its fight against those who abuse workers with the launch of Operation Ajax in June 2008. The operation was set up to increase the GLA‟s activities with an 18 month programme of unannounced raids.

5. Interviews are available by contacting 0115 900 8962

6. Anybody who would like advice on their employment rights or who would like to complain about exploitation in any sector of the economy should contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline on 0800 917 2368 or textphone 0800 121 4042.

7. Anybody who is aware of exploitation should contact the GLA on 0845 602 5020 or report anonymously at www.gla.gov.uk/report

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Public enquiries: 0845 602 5020

Media enquiries: 0115 900 8962

www.gla.gov.uk