In a further demonstration of a crackdown on illegal employment practices, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority has refused a licence renewal for fresh produce industry labour provider FocusStaff. The Hull-based company gangmaster has been investigated by the GLA since January but rose to prominence following a BBC News investigation in the spring.
“On May 10, raids were carried out at FocusStaff by Humberside Police, the GLA and HM Revenue & Customs,” said a GLA spokesman. “The company provided labour to a range of sectors including salads, agriculture, mushrooms and packing and processing.”
This latest GLA action sends a clear warning. “It is important that labour providers realise that getting a licence is not the end of the story,” said Mike Wilson, GLA chief executive. “To keep that licence they have to meet our standards continuously.”
The GLA and the department of trade and industry are now working with British embassies in eight EU accession states to get information to potential workers before they arrive in the UK. “If we can give people information before they enter the UK it can help stop the exploitation,” said Wilson. “Many migrant workers do not fully understand their rights under UK law.”
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