Lincolnshire gangmaster loses licence

The GLA has revoked the licence of a Lincolnshire Gangmaster who attempted to avoid being inspected on numerous occasions. Mr Marcin Porawski who owns MPES Labour Agency based in Leverton in Lincolnshire has now been declared not a ‘fit and proper’ person to hold a GLA licence. He did not appeal against this decision and must now cease trading in the GLA regulated sectors or face prosecution for operating without a licence.

Reasons for the revocation included:

• Failing to co-operate with the GLA

• The business was not up to date with tax and National Insurance payments

• Workers were transported on makeshift benches made up of planks and breeze blocks in the back of a van.

Paul Whitehouse, Chairman of the GLA, said:

“We shall continue to protect the rights of workers and ensure that all gangmaster businesses meet basic legal requirements. It is wrong for workers to have to suffer dangerous conditions and unfair on legitimate businesses if they are undercut by those who break the law.”

Notes to editors

1. A picture of the van with makeshift benches is available for publication.

2. So far, the GLA has licensed approximately 1,200. 70 licences have been revoked (7 with immediate effect).

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

4. Paul Whitehouse, GLA Chairman, is available for interview.

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