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. 


Renamed the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) from May 2017, it has powers to investigate and tackle exploitation across the economy, including construction, care homes and hospitality, and to investigate cases of forced labour and human trafficking previously passed to the police. However, its licensing scheme was not extended beyond the sectors licensed by the GLA (see page 25). 


Its first annual report lays bare the nature and scale of slavery and exploitation across the UK, which it says continue to thrive in every town and city. It also highlights serious health and safety concerns in sectors including agriculture, food service catering and hotels, car washing, warehouses and distribution and construction. 


The general union Unite said the report “hit the nail on the head” in identifying the reasons why exploitation and modern slavery are so prevalent in construction. The report directly links self-employment with exploitation and says “often convoluted supply chains in the industry makes identifying potential exploitation and ending illegal practices challenging.”