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'Gangmaster' has licence revoked | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has revoked the licence of a company that it claimed imposed "forced labour" conditions on migrant workers. | The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has revoked the licence of a company that it claimed imposed "forced labour" conditions on migrant workers. |
The authority said it took the action after discovering a catalogue of low-pay, overcrowding and threats. | The authority said it took the action after discovering a catalogue of low-pay, overcrowding and threats. |
Around 200 people, mainly from Poland, were taken to Scotland by a Suffolk-based company to pick flowers in Angus. | Around 200 people, mainly from Poland, were taken to Scotland by a Suffolk-based company to pick flowers in Angus. |
Gangmaster Jonathan Beckson said he planned to appeal against the GLA's decision. | |
Mr Beckson, of Timberland Homes Recruitment, said he had not been contacted by the GLA to tell him his licence had been revoked. | Mr Beckson, of Timberland Homes Recruitment, said he had not been contacted by the GLA to tell him his licence had been revoked. |
'Small number' | 'Small number' |
He added that he employed more than 400 workers, many of whom came back year-on-year and claimed that the complaints centred around a small number of workers. | He added that he employed more than 400 workers, many of whom came back year-on-year and claimed that the complaints centred around a small number of workers. |
The GLA said some workers had told them that they earned £24 for a nine-hour day, receiving four pence per bunch of flowers picked. | The GLA said some workers had told them that they earned £24 for a nine-hour day, receiving four pence per bunch of flowers picked. |
There is another world out there that the vast majority of us are lucky enough not to see Paul Whitehouse GLA | There is another world out there that the vast majority of us are lucky enough not to see Paul Whitehouse GLA |
The investigation found that some of the accommodation did not have enough beds or toilets for the numbers housed there. | The investigation found that some of the accommodation did not have enough beds or toilets for the numbers housed there. |
The GLA also said that workers had received a letter telling them they were not free to leave before the end of their contract without paying £700 and, if they did not have the money, this would be recovered from their families in their home country. | The GLA also said that workers had received a letter telling them they were not free to leave before the end of their contract without paying £700 and, if they did not have the money, this would be recovered from their families in their home country. |
Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, said: "There is another world out there that the vast majority of us are lucky enough not to see. | Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, said: "There is another world out there that the vast majority of us are lucky enough not to see. |
"Forced labour, intimidation and abuse at work is something nobody should experience but we are uncovering it too frequently." | "Forced labour, intimidation and abuse at work is something nobody should experience but we are uncovering it too frequently." |
He added that the information had been passed to the UK Human Trafficking Centre. | He added that the information had been passed to the UK Human Trafficking Centre. |
Almost 1,200 gangmasters are now licensed to operate legally in the UK. | Almost 1,200 gangmasters are now licensed to operate legally in the UK. |
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