The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority


The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up in the wake of the 2004 Morecambe Bay tragedy, in which 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned, and operated a licensing scheme to regulate “gangmasters” – companies or individuals providing temporary workers in the agriculture, horticulture and shellfish gathering sectors (and associated processing and packaging activities). It checked that licensed gangmasters were properly paying wages, tax and holiday pay and providing decent transport, accommodation and any necessary safety equipment. It also investigated reports of unlicensed gangmasters in the UK fresh-produce sector. 


The renamed Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) will investigate and tackle exploitation across the economy, including construction, care homes and hospitality for example, and will investigate cases of forced labour and human trafficking previously passed to the police. However, its licensing scheme has not been extended beyond the sectors licensed by the GLA (see above). 


“The GLAA’s resources will need to be monitored and evaluated, as although it has more resources, it has a considerably wider remit,” TUC Policy Officer Matt Creagh told the Labour Research Department (LRD). “We also believe that licensing should be extended across other key sectors including construction, cleaning and catering. Vetting employers before they are allowed to operate keeps out rogue providers.”