TUC calls for gangmaster licensing to be extended

As new regulations governing gangmasters come into force this month, the TUC has warned that cowboys will simply relocate to other, unlicensed industries.

Since 1 October 2006, anyone supplying labour to businesses such as farms, orchards, shellfish pickers and meat or food factories will have been breaking the law unless they have a licence from the new Gangmaster Licencing Authority.

And from the end of the year, any company in those industries taking on workers from an unlicensed gangmaster could be prosecuted.

While welcoming the new duties in the food and farming sectors, the TUC fears that they may simply force unscrupulous labour suppliers to move into sectors such as cleaning, construction and hospitality, where there are currently no restrictions.

General secretary Brendan Barber said: "Until the Morecambe Bay tragedy, gangmasters were pretty much a law unto themselves, with the worst operators having a free rein to exploit some of the UK's most vulnerable workers. Licensing of all labour suppliers in farming and food processing should improve the treatment of workers in the sector."

But he added: "A comprehensive licensing scheme covering all employment agencies is now a must."