A Cambridgeshire fresh produce labour supplier had its licence revoked after an inspection uncovered a string of issues with its operations that exposed workers to possible exploitation.
Roberto Mac Ltd, of High Street, March, was one of two companies visited during a series of Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) dawn raids in October last year.
The company’s licence was immediately suspended, preventing the business from trading, and was subsequently revoked on 9 January 2014.
Last week the police informed company director Robert Divkovic that its enquiries had concluded, and that he would face no criminal charges.
However, the GLA’s revocation decision is separate from the police investigation and remains firmly in place.
In spite of this fact, Divkovic has contacted a number of local media outlets in Cambridgeshire claiming he has been ‘cleared’ and complaining about his treatment at the hands of the police and the GLA, the authority told FPJ.
But Paul Brodbent, GLA chief executive, said: “Roberto Mac Ltd was visited and the licence suspended because a number of serious issues had been identified.
“On the day of the operation, more than 80 individuals were given assistance by Fenland District Council, the Red Cross and Salvation Army in finding alternative accommodation and work.
“After the operation, the GLA reviewed in detail how Roberto Mac’s workers were treated and checked if the company was compliant with its licensing standards. Seven separate breaches were identified and the licence was revoked with immediate effect.”
These breaches included failing to pay workers the National Minimum Wage, providing unsafe accommodation, and not supplying workers with requisite personal protective equipment.
Roberto Mac Ltd is entitled to appeal the GLA decision, and Divkovic has indicated that he would like to pursue this course of action.
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