Multi-agency visits to Leicester factories

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has been working with partners to ensure that regulations are being followed in factories in Leicester during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

It follows concerns about how some businesses in the city have been operating before and during the localised lockdown introduced by the government at the end of June.

Multi-agency visits involving officers from the GLAA, Leicestershire Police, Leicester City Council, National Crime Agency, Health and Safety Executive, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue and Immigration Enforcement have been carried out over the last week.

Officers from the different agencies spoke to business owners and workers to discuss concerns and provide advice around how protect workplaces from the risk of coronavirus.

Further visits will be carried out in the coming weeks.

No enforcement has been used during the visits and officers have not at this stage identified any offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

GLAA Head of Enforcement Ian Waterfield said: “We are committed to working with partners to ensure that workers in Leicester are safe during the coronavirus pandemic and are not having their employment rights eroded or abused.

“Allegations of labour exploitation are something we take extremely seriously and we will continue to take appropriate action to safeguard potentially vulnerable workers.

“We would also encourage the public to be aware of the signs of labour exploitation and report their concerns to us, by calling our intelligence team on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk.”
You can also call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700.