The first gangmaster to be convicted under the Gangmasters Licensing Act at the Sheriff Court of Tayside, Central and Fife was sentenced last week.

Fiona Jane Clark of Bracken Brae, Perth, pled guilty last month.

She received 18 months probation and 140 hours of community service for operating without a gangmaster’s licence.

Clark supplied a workforce of approximately 20 workers during November

2006, the majority of which were migrant workers.

The sheriff said: “It is important that they [workers] are treated fairly and in accordance with our law, and are not subject to exploitation.

“Clearly, this is not a case at the upper end of the spectrum. On the other hand, there is a need to send out a clear and unequivocal message that the requirements of this statute must be adhered to, both in spirit and in accordance with the letter of the law…

“If the act had allowed me to disqualify Miss Clark from operating as a gangmaster or labour provider, that is a matter to which I would have given serious consideration. However, that option is not available to me.”

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, added: “This will be the first of many prosecutions; we will seek out gangmasters who operate illegally and prosecute them.

“We are not just targeting gangmasters, we can also prosecute the growers, processors and packers who use unlicensed gangmasters.

“We are determined to enforce the law. Where we find illegal activity we will seek the appropriate sanctions.”

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