Home Secretary Theresa May vowed to end “modern slavery” in Britain while attending the signing of a new formal information sharing agreement aimed at reducing exploitation in retailers' supply chains.
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority’s (GLA) Supplier-Retailer Protocol was signed by the Fresh Produce Consortium, the Food and Drink Federation, and the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Representatives from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Lidl, and The Co-op, along with senior managers from suppliers such as Manor Fresh and Hammonds Produce, were present for Wednesday’s historic event at the Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s HQ in London.
The signing of the agreement comes during a week in which 300 police officers carried out raids linked to suspected exploitation of fresh produce-picking migrant workers in Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, arresting nine people and closing down two recruitment agencies.
May said: “This initiative between the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and key business partners is a vital step in tackling modern slavery in supply chains.
“Labour exploitation is much more common than any of us would like to believe. This is because it is a hidden crime - a hidden crime that involves trading in people’s lives.
“This event shows that businesses are becoming more aware of this issue and seizing the opportunity to address it. I do not underestimate the challenge, in this climate, of making this a priority for your businesses.”
GLA chair, Margaret McKinlay, said: “Intelligence is critically important to the work of the GLA, and we know those in the supply chain have information and knowledge that can help us.
“That’s what this protocol agreement is all about. We’ve worked with all parties involved – retailers and suppliers – to put this agreement in place. It will be a living document that will continue to evolve and will make a real contribution to reducing any exploitation in the supply chain.
“It sets out how the GLA will work with retailers, suppliers and other organisations not covered by the Gangmasters Licensing Act with the overall aim to protect vulnerable and exploited workers.”
Present at the signing on Wednesday was Fresh Produce Consortium chief executive Nigel Jenney.He said: “The protocol is a clear commitment from those beyond the regulated sector to work together openly and effectively to stamp out modern slavery.”
BRC food policy director, Andrew Opie, said: “This is a further demonstration of retailers’ commitment to work with their suppliers and beyond to ensure the GLA has the most effective information possible to assist in targeting its enforcement.
“But the proof of the pudding will be when the enforcement makes a difference.”
Nottinghamshire-based growers Hammond Produce employs up to 300 seasonal workers through four different agencies.Managing director Jon Hammond told the FPJ: “It’s quite frightening that it is now being referred to as slavery, but that is exactly what’s going on.
“Formalising the links between all stakeholders in not just the food industry, but across all sectors, is essential. We can’t enforce things on our own – all the stakeholders must go out now and share the work towards the common good.”
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