Proposals for a Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) Supermarket Protocol have sparked considerable concern in the industry, as fears over its potential effect on retailer-supplier relationships mount.
Developed through discussions with Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, The Co-operative, Waitrose, Marks & Spencer and Iceland, the protocol seeks to establish common principles for how the GLA and supermarkets will work together. This includes exchanging information on workplace abuse and conducting joint visits in the supply chain.
The proposals involve joint retailer/GLA visits to suppliers, aimed at widening retailers’ knowledge of labour-based issues, but concerns have been voiced that this could increase the already considerable power wielded by retailers in the supply chain. The protocol put forward by the GLA also looks to remove a gangmaster’s right of appeal if worker exploitation is believed to be taking place.
The Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) is calling for greater scrutiny of the drafts to ensure equality for suppliers and retention of GLA independence. FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney told freshinfo: “We encourage all of our members to write to the GLA, both through us and independently. There has been too much focus on the retailers and we want the GLA to consider all areas of the supply chain. It must treat retailers and suppliers the same and if there are problems in the supply chain, then we need to look at those areas.
“There are some key concerns for suppliers raised in this protocol, which demonstrate the need for the GLA to seek a better understanding of the views of suppliers and labour users before developing the protocol further. It must work fairly and effectively for all parties involved in the supply chain to maximise the protection of vulnerable workers. Unless it does this, the protocol should be rejected.”
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) also fears a weakening of suppliers’ positions if the protocol were to be implemented. Chief horticulture adviser Phil Hudson said: “The NFU has always been supportive of the GLA’s work to rid the industry of any rogue gangmasters complicit in worker exploitation.
“However, it is vital that this protocol treats the suppliers, or labour users, and the retailers as equal partners and is not used to undermine the important relationship that currently exists between them.”
But GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse defended the drafts, insisting the move has ethical benefits. He said: “This protocol seeks to take advantage of the supermarkets’ and the supply chain’s efforts to act in an ethical and socially responsible way. This consultation gives everybody the opportunity to contribute, and I would urge people to put their views forward.”
He told freshinfo: “We feel that it benefits everyone if retailers join us on visits, as we are looking at things that they do not normally focus on and are not normally part of their businesses so that they know what to look for [in the future].
“We will obviously ask labour users to provide us with information for our audits, but we would not share that any further. Supermarkets will consider de-listing suppliers if they are complicit, so are knowingly engaging, in a crime.”
The GLA believes that retailers should also be able to take the credit for exposing labour providers who break the law rather than the current system where the supplier, but not its customers, is named.
“I want to hear that people up and down the supply chain fully understand the proposed protocol and its benefit to well-run businesses,” added Whitehouse.
The consultation was launched at the House of Lords last Friday and continues until July 31.
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