An independent review of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has been welcomed by the organisation itself, but words of warning have been sounded by others in the industry.
The review, a comprehensive report carried out by the University of Sheffield and the University of Liverpool, was commissioned by the GLA to find out how successful the organisation has been in protecting workers, as well as to look at what more needs to be done.
The researchers found: “No regulator that we are aware of enjoys universal acclaim, but we are struck by the strength of the consensus that the GLA has done a good job in a difficult, highly dynamic and challenging environment.”
The report pointed out that minor abuses of workers have been reduced, and that substandard accommodation is no longer so prevalent. “We know exploitation still exists in these very competitive industries, and it is our aim to stop this,” said GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse. “And it is a challenge that needs an industry-wide effort, and not simply a GLA endeavour.
“The report has pointed out the good work done by the GLA since it was formed, and identifies that the next few years are critical. We need to demonstrate our capacity to ensure that workers are protected and a level playing field is established for legitimate businesses.”
But Marc Boleat of the Association of Labour Providers was more wary. “The fact that the GLA has powers to do good is beyond dispute, but the issue is whether it is making the best use of the huge resources it has, to deal with what is a relatively small sector,” he said. “We are very keen for it to concentrate on the bigger issues, rather than get involved with the legal detail.”
The GLA has made gathering such intelligence a priority for the upcoming year, as well as raising the level of its unannounced visits and working with trade unions to monitor agency-worker abuse.
The GLA will discuss the report’s recommendations at its next board meeting on January 22, 2008.
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