GLA revoke Suffolk gangmaster

A Suffolk gangmaster has had his licence revoked after failing to correct a failure identified on previous inspections. Perinet Limited trading as Butchery and Abattoir Services based in Bury St Edmunds, must now stop supplying workers in the GLA regulated sectors or face prosecution. Mr Robert McDonald the Managing Director of Perinet Limited, supplied workers to a variety of areas including boners and butchers to a meat processing plant in Ballymena in Northern Ireland.

The GLA initially found that the workers were not receiving the correct holiday entitlement of 24 days paid holiday and notified Mr McDonald that he would be allowed to continue trading if this was rectified in March 2008. At a follow up inspection in September 2008 GLA officers found that the requirement had still not been met and the licence was revoked without immediate effect. Perinet Limited did not appeal against the GLA decision and the licence was formally revoked on 27 October 2008.

Paul Whitehouse, Chairman of the GLA, said:

“This company had a significant period of time to resolve the problem. We were set up to protect workers and if their legal rights are not taken seriously, then we have no choice but to revoke the licence.”

Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up in 2005 to curb the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packaging industries.

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

3. So far, the GLA has licensed approximately 1,201 labour providers. Seventy Eight licences have been revoked (7 with immediate effect). One person 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. The operation was set up to increase the GLA’s activities with an 18-month programme of unannounced raids.

5. Paul Whitehouse, GLA Chairman, is available for interview by contacting 0115 900 8962.

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

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Public enquiries: 0845 602 5020

Media enquiries: 0115 900 8962

www.gla.gov.uk