Scots point to problems with gangmaster laws

Farmers who hire out an employee to a neighbouring farmer could be classified as gangmasters and subject to thousands of pounds of charges as the result of new rules, according to NFU Scotland.

NFUS president, John Kinnaird and the Scottish Machinery Ring Association have met with DEFRA and the Gangmaster Licencing Authority to argue for a more sensible interpretation of the new gangmaster laws which come into effect next month.

Of particular concern is the so-called “20% rule”, which hits anyone who permits an employee to work for another business for more than 20% of his working time during any three month period.

In effect, a farm worker who works on another farm for more than two consecutive weeks falls under the new laws. The only exception is where a worker is hired out with machinery.

As a result, a typical farmer in this situation faces a £250 gangmaster licence registration fee and an inspection charge of £1600.