Act to end "modern day slavery"

A new law means the days of illegal gangmasters are now numbered, according to unions and others who have campaigned to put a stop to exploitation of vulnerable workers by unscrupulous gangmasters.

The Gangmasters Licensing Act (2004) will make it an offence to operate as a gangmaster without a licence. And it will create a regulatory body that will enforce the new law.

The legislation, which began life as a private members' Bill by Labour MP Jim Sheridan, should come into force by spring next year.

The T&G general union said the new law "will mean the beginning of the end of exploitation for at least 60,000 workers in the UK who are paid below poverty wages, forced to pay rip-off charges for accommodation and can even be made to pay for basic safety equipment."

The T&G and the UNISON public services union campaigned for legislation alongside the TUC and others.

The Act covers agriculture and horticultural work, shellfish gathering and the processing and packaging of any products derived from these industries.

It defines a gangmaster as anyone employing, supplying and/or supervising a worker to do work in these areas, and covers all sub-contractors.

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley said: "The days of illegal gangmasters, who profit from the misery of thousands of workers, defraud the state and drive good businesses to the wall, are numbered. With effective enforcement we can banish this modern-day slavery for good."