The GLA standards have produced positive changes across the industry since they were introduced last autumn. It has led to scores of investigations and the suspension of a number of gangmasters, with possible prosecutions in some cases. Unfortunately we cannot be constantly checking every gangmaster as we are a relatively small organisation. A list of labour providers who have undergone inspections and monitoring by the GLA is available online and we run an active check system to automatically notify registered labour users if a licence is revoked. Since firm evidence is needed before we can revoke a licence, however worker exploitation can occur before we are able to step in. This creates a potential risk for businesses using gangmaster labour. If exploited workers are being supplied to a labour user, links, however unfair, can be made - especially in the media. This may test even the strongest relationships with customers. There are signs that some of the businesses using licensed gangmasters are taking a dangerously narrow view. They assume that a licensed gangmaster is a legal one, and that holding a licence from the GLA is proof of compliance with the rules. Their responsibilities do not stop there, however; labour users have a moral and legal duty to check that workers are not being exploited. There are plenty of ways a labour provider can do this. First, consider how much a labour provider is paid. To meet the most basic legal requirements and to stand any chance of operating legally, the labour provider will have to receive £6.24 per worker per hour. This figure does not include any margin for profit, so, if a business is paying less than this, alarm bells should be ringing. It also pays to know exactly who is supplying workers to a site. Is it really the single licensed labour provider with whom staffing requirements are discussed daily, or does that business subcontract those requirements on? It pays to ask or even insist on notification of additional providers in the contract. But the most obvious warning sign will come from those who suffer most from exploitation - the workers. Even speaking informally to a small cross-section of the workforce on a regular basis may unearth issues, or at least confirm there are no major concerns. Even if serious problems are uncovered, taking the proactive action of contacting the GLA first will always be the best option for all concerned.

Topics