Gangmaster conviction for Dumfries and Galloway man

A Dumfries and Galloway Forestry Contractor was convicted at Dumfries Sheriff Court on Friday 15 October 2010 on a charge of section 12(1) of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004. Christopher Fairgrieve Murray of Dunscore pled guilty to the charge of operating as a gangmaster without a licence and was fined £2,500.

Mr Murray had requested information from the GLA in September 2008 and admitted he was aware of the need for a licence, but he was found supplying two forestry businesses in the Dumfries and Galloway area between 4 December 2007 and 24 June 2009.

Paul Whitehouse, Chairman on the GLA said

“This man also put the businesses that used them in danger as we could have taken action against them as well, but we accepted that they had been effectively duped by Mr Murray into believing he didn’t need a licence.”

Notes to editors

1. The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agricultural, horticultural, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packing industries.

2. Protecting workers is the key aim alongside protecting legitimate labour providers and protecting the tax payer by uncovering unpaid taxes.

3. The GLA regulate the supply of workers and labour services to any of the regulated sectors in the UK

4. A new useful tool has been created by the Association of Labour Providers to assist those working within the GLA licensing scheme. Additionally the ALP works closely with the GLA in its role as a key stakeholder. To find out more about this helpful tool visit www.labourproviders.org.uk or contact on 01276 509306 or info@labourproviders.org.uk

5. Paul Whitehouse Chairman of the GLA is available for interview.

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