Gangmasters Licensing Authority - Advocates

Advocates

Supporters of the authority argue it should be given more powers and resources. Some have called for an extension of the GLA's remit, citing it as an effective model of enforcement and raising standards for workers. The Trades Union Congress (TUC) report on vulnerable workers was critical that the Authority's narrow scope failed to extend its regime for gangmasters to sectors such as construction, hospitality, and carehome workers. It was estimated that at least 2 million workers were left out while UCATT, the building workers union, estimating that East European workers were paid as low as £8.80 for a 39-hour week.

This continues to be repeating theme from a range of independent research reports, particularly from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), which has produced a suite of reports focusing on foced labour in the aftermath of the introduction of the forced labour offence, introduced in section 71 of the Croners and Justice Act 2009 (later coming into force in Scotland also .

In 2007, the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade in the UK, the JRF's first report in the series "Modern slavery in the United Kingdom" was produced, arguing that " there may already appear to be a prima facie case for strengthening the powers of surveillance and regulation of the GLA", and suggesting that evaluation was necessary to determine whether the regulatory framework needed to be enhanced.

Other regulators cite problems with the activities of Gangmasters, as demonstrated in the Equalities and Human Rights Commission’s (EHCR) Meat Industry inquiry report, issued in March 2010, which identified widespread abuse and exploitation and recommended that the GLA’s powers be extend to investigate the new criminal offence of forced labour.

Oxfam's "Turning the Tide" report, issued in July 2009, whilst being critical of the GLA's relationship with UK Borders Agency (see criticisms), was generally supportive of the GLA's work. It stated: " Gangmasters, unions, and migrant support organisations alike are all supportive of the GLA’s work", (page 27). It also observed that "the GLA and its licensing regime were considered effective by many labour providers, unions, retailers and representatives of vulnerable workers, for its significant work in improving labour rights, standards for workers and creating a more level playing field for employers", (page 2).But in noting that there was more work to be done to assist exploited workers it concluded that the GLA "has struggled to eradicate exploitation at the very bottom of the market - undoubtedly in part due to its inability to protect all workers, irrespective of their immigration status”(page 16).

In November 2010 the JRF report: "Between decent work and forced labour: examining the continuum of exploitation" recommended that: " Those who inspect workplaces should be empowered: Labour inspection should be extended and the mandate should include investigation and prosecution of forced labour. This should also include the extension of the remit of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority and its mandate to prosecute forced labour."

In 2011, two JRF reports: "Forced labour in Northern Ireland: exploiting vulnerability" (June 2011), and "Experiences of forced labour among Chinese migrant workers" (November 2011) also recommended the extension of areas under the GLA's control to improve protection against forced labour.

The EHRC's most recent report in relation to forced labour - on trafficking in Scotland - also issued in November 2011 recommended that a strategy for Scotland should learn from the regulatory approach of the GLA.

In January 2012 the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), report on the UK's response to combating trafficking recommended that: the GLA licensing regime should be extended to cover other economic sectors vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking such as construction,domestic work/care, and hospitality; and that the GLA should be granted the power to prosecute the new offence of forced labour.

In February 2012 the JRF report "Regulation and enforcement to tackle forced labour in the UK: A systematic response?" recommended extending the GLA remit, stating that:"Such a move could have very positive impacts on how forced labour is dealt with because the GLA has created a robust system of licensing and the standards incorporate the ILO indicators on forced labour."

On 4 May 2012 the anti-trafficking monitoring group produced the second of two reports, which, referring to the findings of the reports by the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (ECHR)and the OSCE suggested that the GLA should have the power to investigate forced labour offences. Like the monitoring group's first report, it also recommended that the GLA model be expanded to tackle exploitation in other sectors, citing construction, cleaning, and hospitality.

On 15 May 2012 the Joseph Rowntree Foundation launched its latest report: "Experiences of forced labour in the UK Food Industry" . Receiving national press coverage, the report recommended continuing Government support for the GLA, and that its powers should be strengthened to assist its work in tackling forced labour and exploitation.