Smart Recruitment advise on new gangmaster reform

Smart Recruitment, as with other labour providers, are undergoing a comprehensive audit as part of their application procedure to secure a Gangmasters license. Under the Gangmasters Licensing Scheme, labour suppliers in the agriculture and the food production sectors will be required to obtain a license and entered onto a public register.

Helen Stacey, Director of Smart Recruitment comments, ìThe deaths of the cockle pickers at Morecambe Bay in February 2004 has highlighted the exploitation of immigrants by so-called gangmasters in the multimillion-dollar cockling industry, leading to calls for tighter regulation. The Gangmasters License is a direct result of this and other similar activities which have exploited immigrants for centuries. A return to licensing is the way forward for the Recruitment Industry and we welcome the opportunity of going through the audit process to qualify for licensing with the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC).î
After October 2006 it will be an offense to provide labour to the agricultural and food industries without holding a gangmasters license from the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA). Helen continues, ìThis is not just something which the Recruitment Industry needs to be aware of but everyone looking to recruit labour suppliers who work in food and agricultural industries. At Smart Recruitment we are ensuring that all our clients are aware of this need in order they can act accordingly. It will be illegal to appoint a labour provider without this license and so a lot of the responsibility falls on the Food and Agriculture industries as well as Recruitment.î

Smart Recruitment has their GLA audit in May and can offer anyone with concerns advice for their business. Contact Helen Stacey on 01202 629000. Alternatively visit www.smartgroup.co.uk or www.rec.uk.com for industry information.