The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) is in talks to ensure ethical compliance is met as pressure is exerted on the supply chain by the Olympic Games next year.

The GLA has met with the Olympic organising committee to discuss their attitudes to suppliers and procurement.

The body is also to meet with fast food chain McDonalds to discuss its approach to the event next summer.

LOCOG has stipulated that British products are accredited by Red Tractor and all bananas supplied to the event will be Fairtrade.

A spokesperson for the GLA told freshinfo: “We are not there to regulate the use of workers at the point of sale but its about education and raising awareness in the higher tiers of the supply chain and getting them on board.”

The authority also expressed concern that the latest round of supermarket price cuts could cause people to cut corners.

“It’s a general fear. It’s that conflict between a supermarket trying to procure at the lowest price possible versus someone trying to argue to only use ethical supplier,” the spokesperson said.

“If someone can buyer cheaper product overseas in, say, The Netherlands they are always going to use it as a tool to say ‘I can drop the price to this much’ and cut the margins in the process.”

The GLA has appointed a new chair in Margaret McKinlay. She joined the body from the immigration service and replaced Paul Whitehouse.

Topics