A rise in “dubious recruiters” and “questionable training schemes” since the abolition of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) has led one labour provider to outsource its auditing process.
Labour provider HOPS Labour Solutions will now be externally audited by non-profit assurance body Sedex to counter what is says is the rise in unethical practices on farms.
The company said that one of the biggest issues since SAWS was abolished has been the need for traceability of labour and proof that modern slavery is not taking place, as well as actually sourcing labour.
“The last 24 months has seen a huge change in the marketplace, initially with farms recruiting returnees themselves during 2014 and an influx of dubious recruiters, with some operating questionable training schemes to generate income, as well as returnees acing as recruiters for farms and charging a commission for doing so without the grower being aware of the practice,” said director John Hardman.
HOPS’ policy and procedures in recruiting seasonal labour will now be externally audited to the Sedex standards, to meet the needs of auditors carrying out ETI inspections on farm.
Hardman said 2015 has been a transitional year with a decline in good English speaking participants, good returnees migrating to other industries and productive pickers being more difficult to source.
“But the most prominent issue has been the ferocity of ETI’s with regards to traceability of labour, food security and ensuring that modern slavery is not taking place, and accommodation meets a standard,” he said.
“HOPS has always been proud about how it audits growers facilities, and the external audit process that we have commissioned should reassure our growers confidence in the service we provide.”
