What you need to know to prevent worker abuse – booklets available from the GLA

A realm of useful information has been produced by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) to help labour users, pack house managers, processors and farmers protect workers from exploitation. The series of useful brochures, handbooks, leaflets as well as a DVD, is designed to help those in the agricultural, horticultural, commercial forestry, shellfish gathering, food and drink processing and packaging industries understand their responsibilities in relation to licensing to protect worker abuse.

Nigel Jenney Chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium said:

“Now is the time to tell the GLA about the businesses and labour providers that can give the industry a bad name. We should use the resources of the GLA to focus on questionable practices and put pressure on those who undercut the prices of law abiding businesses. There is no point complaining about the problems if you are not willing to take the first step to resolve them.”

Paul Whitehouse Chairman of the GLA said:

“Labour Users can play a key part in the fight to end worker exploitation. By working together we can drive out the unscrupulous operators. Report the rogues and we can do the rest.”

The brochures include the Labour Users Guide, licensing standards booklets, workers rights leaflets, in a series of different languages, and the GLA Handbook for labour users.

All information is available on the GLA website at www.gla.gov.uk or in printed form by calling the GLA on 0115 9008963 or email communications@gla.gsi.gov.uk Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority was set up in 2005 to curb the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packaging industries. It was set up following the death of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay.

2. There are currently more than 1100 gangmasters licensed by the GLA

3. A gangmaster is an individual or business who:

• supplies labour to agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging

• uses labour to provide a service in the regulated sector, eg harvesting or gathering agricultural produce

• uses labour to gather shellfish.

To be granted a GLA licence all businesses must meet the GLA licensing standards and the principle authority of the business must meet ‘Fit and Proper’ person criteria. Cross government checks are made on all licence applications.

4. It has been an offence to supply labour to the GLA regulated sectors since 1 October 2006, with the maximum penalty being ten years imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

5. All licences that are revoked have the right of appeal including licences revoked with immediate effect.

6. Copies of any appeal decisions can be obtained from the appeals secretariat Gangmasters Licensing Appeals, Defra, Electra Way, Crewe, Cheshire CW1 6GJ Telephone: 01270 754231, E-mail: gangmasters.appeals@defra.gsi.gov.uk

End

Public enquiries: 0845 602 5020

Media enquiries: 0115 900 8963/07825 797130

www.gla.gov.uk