Cavalier Approach to the Truth Damages Gangmasters Credibility and Suitability to Supply Workers

Gangmaster Licensing Authority revokes licence of TEMPS DIRECT 24/7 based in Wolverhampton.

A gangmaster, Mr Dalvair, trading as Temps Direct 24/7 Limited has had his licence to supply labour revoked by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA) as he was not fit and proper to hold a licence.

At an appeal hearing against the initial decision to revoke the licence of Temps Direct 24/7 Limited, the tribunal heard that Mr Dalvair had not been candid or truthful in his dealings with either the GLA or HMRC. Mr Dalvair’s own evidence confirmed that he had misled HMRC in respect of the standing of the business.

Mr Dalvair claimed that he had been assaulted and that a computer had been stolen prior to the GLA inspection and so he was unable to produce any records. This was discounted by the GLA as he was unable to provide any convincing evidence of the assault. He also admitted at the appeal hearing that debts to HMRC were in the region of £100k. His assertion that the business was not trading at the time of the inspection was dismissed by the tribunal as “patently not true”.

The evidence given by Mr Dalvair, was deemed “not credible” and his competence and capability to hold a GLA licence was branded as “lacking”. In summing up, the tribunal found that Mr Dalvair’s failures were a “serious dereliction of duty” and that to allow him to rectify his failures would “undermine the ethos of the legislation and licensing Standards”. The tribunal upheld the decision to revoke the licence.

Margaret McKinlay, Chair of the Gangmaster Licensing Authority said:

“Gangmasters must remain compliant with our licensing standards at all times, and where they don’t they should be prepared to face the consequences. ”

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. Margaret McKinlay, GLA Chair, is available for interview by contacting 0115 900 8962 3. Anybody who is aware of exploitation should contact the GLA on 0845 602 5020 or report anonymously at www.gla.gov.uk/report

End

Public enquiries: 0845 602 5020

Media enquiries: 0115 900 8962

www.gla.gov.uk