LABOUR USERS
This section tells you about:
- How does licensing affect labour users? Does your business undertake work which is covered by the licensing scheme?
- How to check your labour provider is licensed?
- Indicative Minimum Charge Rates
- How you can help your labour provider
How does licensing affect labour users?
If you are supplied with labour and your business operates in the licensable sectors, you must only use GLA licensed labour providers.
If you are a Labour User in the shellfish gathering sector you are a Gangmaster. Please read the Guide to Licensing section, as you will need to be licensed.
The new licensing scheme affects labour users in three ways:
- Criminal offence: it is illegal to use workers or services by an unlicensed labour provider. The maximum penalty is 6 months in prison and a fine.
- Consistent supply of labour: if your labour provider does not have a licence they are committing a criminal offence and the GLA have the power to shut them down.
- Image: nobody wants to be associated with a company that could generate bad publicity. It would be bad for your business and your customers if your labour provider was prosecuted.
Does your business undertake work which is covered by the licensing scheme?
See our Guide to Licensing for information on the types of work covered by licensing.
How to check your labour provider is licensed
The GLA Public Register lists all licence holders and applicants. Check the register to see who has a licence.
To protect yourself against prosecution, you should follow the Reasonable Steps guidance and register for an Active Check.
Indicative Minimum Charge Rates
See information on indicative minimum charge rates between labour providers and labour users.
How you can help your labour provider
You will need to work with your labour provider to help them retain their licence by:
- Having your agreement with them in writing
- Co-operating with them to ensure the site of work complies with health and safety legislation
- Pay them enough to meet legal requirements
