The first conviction under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
This month we are marking the 20th anniversary of the GLAA (formerly GLA).
The first conviction under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 came in April 2008 in Scotland. Soon after the offence of operating without a licence was introduced in October 2006 the then GLA launched enforcement investigations in to the Scottish gangmaster.
The gangmaster had applied for a licence. During the application process GLA officers spoke to a number of people and found that there was no evidence of tax or national insurance being paid and there were no identity checks on workers to ensure legal working. The application was refused.
Despite the refusal the gangmaster continued trading without a licence by supplying workers to pick, process and pack potatoes.
During the period where the gangmaster was supplying workers, a further criminal offence of using an unlicensed gangmaster was introduced in December 2006. The labour user that the gangmaster was supplying received a written warning regarding the use of an unlicensed gangmaster.
The gangmaster had earned around £20,000 by supplying around 20 workers to pick, process and pack potatoes.