The newly formed Association of Labour Providers has given its support to the gangmasters licensing bill due for a second reading next Friday, but identified a number of issues that will need addressing as the bill progresses through parliament.

“We recognise the problems the bill seeks to address and support the need for action to deal with these problems,” said chairman Mark Boleat. “However,…many of the activities that the bill seeks to curb are already illegal. It is important that enforcement action is increased now as it is likely to be two years before any statutory licensing regime could be implemented.”

Doug Henderson, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium said: “Of course enforcement action is very important, but at this stage we are pleased the bill has got a second reading, and that government is supporting it,” said chief executive Doug Henderson. “Things are really moving on and the bill will certainly get through.”

The ALP, has also suggested that the £3,000 proposed licence fee may be to heavy a burden on small businesses, that the term gangmaster used in the bill is pejorative and that any legislation should not single out labour providers in the agriculture and fisheries sectors but also cover those working in construction, cleaning and sandwich-making, for example.