New gangmaster rules mean more rogue agencies

New gangmaster rules mean more rogue agencies

A Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) announcement that it is to stop carrying out automatic inspections of all companies applying for a new GLA licence could lead to an increase in rogue employment agencies, the TUC has warned. From October the GLA will no longer automatically send an inspector to check that agency workers are being paid properly and working under safe conditions before it grants a business or employment agency a licence to operate. Instead, these checks will become 'discretionary'. The TUC believes this move has come about because the GLA has been put under increased pressure by ministers to introduce 'light touch' regulation and is part of a deliberate attempt to weaken the role of the GLA. In addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last month unveiled proposals to strip the GLA of its powers to regulate the forestry sector, land agents and cleaning contractors operating in the food processing industry. Instead of ending automatic inspections and reducing the scope of the GLA, the authority's remit should be extended to other high-risk sectors including construction, hospitality and social care, said the TUC. TUC general secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'The government seems determined to weaken the role of the GLA regardless of the impact on vulnerable workers. As the tragic events of Morecambe Bay showed, it is essential that inspectors check on workers' conditions, which is why having automatic inspections is so important.' She added: 'GLA inspections ensure that people working in high risk industries are protected, that they are paid the minimum wage, work in a safe environment and are not exploited.' The union leader concluded: 'The government's so-called war on 'red tape' will significantly increase the risk of rogue employers being granted a licence, under-cutting law-abiding agencies and abusing their workforces.'

TUC news release.

GLA news release.