Gangmaster body plans unveiled

PLANS FOR a body which will issue licences to gangmasters providing agricultural workers have been published by DEFRA.

The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004, which received Royal Assent in July, introduced a requirement for labour providers to be licensed to stop exploitation of workers.

The move is designed to prevent a repeat of the Morecambe Bay disaster in which 21 cockle pickers died.

In the future, it will be illegal for anyone to use an unlicensed gangmaster and offenders risk up to ten years in prison.

Under the proposals, the Gangmasters Licensing Authority will operate a licensing scheme, set licensing conditions and maintain a register of licensed gangmasters.

This will allow everyone in the food supply chain to distinguish between legal and illegal operators.

Views on the shape and role of the new authority are being sought by DEFRA with a view to getting it established by March 2005.

It wants to know what stakeholders think the licence conditions should be and how the authority‘s board should be structured so everyone is adequately represented. 

It is thought that the average cost of a licence will be £1,750 to £2,250 for a three year period.

The first licences should be issued during the summer of 2005.