Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004

One of the UK's biggest unions, the Transport and General Workers Union, has joined forces with Jim Sheridan Labour MP for West Renfrewshire to tackle the abuse of temporary workers by unregulated "gangmasters".

Jim Sheridan introduced his Private Members Bill to force gangmasters operating in agriculture to obtain licences and operate within the law - including respecting minimum employment provisions.

While there are no official figures for the number of gangmasters operating in the UK, estimates suggest there are around 3000.

According to the T&G, deregulation of gangmasters in the 1990s has resulted in inadequate legislation and weak voluntary codes leaving workers employed on a temporary basis for agriculture and related industries vulnerable to long hours, low pay and even intimidation.

It also means that the government and the authorities cannot keep track of gangmasters' activities.Speaking on the day that he introduced his Gangmasters Licensing Bill to Parliament, Jim Sheridan said:

"Our economy and society have long benefited from the contribution of seasonal workers, many of whom are migrants. But today, especially in food and agriculture, these workers can often find themselves working for employers who have little or no regard for the law.

"This does not just mean that these workers are overworked and underpaid - it also means that terms and conditions for workers across the board can be driven down."It cannot be a matter of pride that a vital part of the UK economy thrives on illegality and exploitation. My Bill would ensure that the UK took a useful first step towards tackling employers who abuse not just their employees but who also thrive by evading their duties to society".Lending the T&G's support for the Bill, which the union helped to draft, general secretary Tony Woodley said it is "unacceptable in modern day UK that unscrupulous, illegal operators can undercut legitimate employers, drive down wages and make the working lives of their employees a misery without fear of intervention by the authorities"."Employment rights and civil liberties are breached on a routine basis. Deductions are made from wages. Sickness, holiday pay and wage slips are non-existent and the minimum wage is ignored. While some gangmasters are operating legally and responsibly, they are all too few. The plain truth is that deregulation in the 1990s has encouraged clandestine operation by the many."Jim Sheridan MP added he was hopeful of attracting cross-party support for the Bill, claiming, "this is a common sense measure which I believe all parties can sign up to".

The Bill has already attracted support from the National Farmers Union, the TUC, community groups and migrant workers organisations.

 

House of Commons

First reading: January 7 2004 (HC Bill 17)

Second reading: February 27 2004

Committee stage:

• 1st sitting: April 28 2004 (pm)

Bill as amended in the committee (HC Bill 98)

Remaining stages: May 21 2004

House of Lords

First reading: May 24 2004 (HL Bill 74)

Second reading: June 16 2004

Committee stage: June 30 2004 - no amendments were tabled

Report stage: June 30 2004

Third reading: July 6 2004

Royal Assent: July 8 2004

Gangmaster (Licensing) Act 2004