Goldteam's Blog

Should GLA legislation be extended?

February 15, 2010 at 2:45 pm | Posted in Goldteam News | Leave a comment
Tags: compliance, ethics, food industry, gangmaster, GLA, hospitality, recruitment, recruitment agencies, vulnerable workers

While it’s great to see news of  crackdowns on  illegal operatives working as herb pickers in Norfolk – and the ongoing investigation into suspected unlicensed gangmaster activity – I believe there should be an extension of legislation into other industries. We operate in the food production, hospitality and healthcare sectors, and are  licensed by the Gangmaster Licensing Authority because food production is a regulated area. Unfortunately even just using the word gangmaster has a negative connotation these days. Those recruiters who choose to operate ethically and in full compliance with the law often get tarred with the same brush as ruthless criminals who set out to exploit vulnerable and often illegal workers. Vulnerable workers and unscrupulous operators are not confined to the food manufacturing sector. I would argue that industries such as hospitality and construction should also be regulated – particularly with the 2012 Olympics coming up. The recent crackdown is obviously good news – but there is a danger that ‘rogue traders’ will just move into to other unregulated areas – that’s bad for vulnerable workers, bad for recruitment and bad for Britain! What’s your view?