UK specialist recruitment company Omega Resource Group - acknowledged industry-wide as an exemplar of best practice for the welfare of labour - has been awarded its Gangmasters licence.
Omega was determined to demonstrate its commitment to workers as soon as the company could apply for the licence and has, since that initial application, demonstrated how it meets GLA (Gangmasters Licensing Authority) requirements.
ìOur focus on candidate welfare has always been central to the way we operate,î explains Alan Beresford, Group Director at Omega Resource Group. ìIt is our responsibility to ensure procedures are adhered to and because we have always had this work ethic we were able to quickly provide evidence to that fact.î
According to Omega the licence, which labour providers to the agricultural, horticultural, food packaging and processing industries, must have by law from 1 October 2006 in order to operate, is welcome legislation.
ìAnything that will work to prevent disasters such as Morecambe Bay should rapidly become the industry standard,î continues Beresford. ìIt is, in the grand scheme of things, a very straightforward auditing process that will ultimately benefit everyone involved. It is truly a win/win situation and confirms that our initial focus on welfare was the correct strategy in this industry.î
Whilst this new licence has caused a degree of controversy, Omega is still adamant that the process agencies are being asked to fulfil will ëclean-upí the recruitment industry.
ìIt is essential for companies to be aware that as from the 1 December 2006 it will be an offence to take labour from an agency that does not have this licence,î concludes Beresford. ìAs a conscientious recruiter we have considered this licence from our candidatesí and clientsí point of view proving our true commitment to both.î
Omega Resource Group secures Gangmasters Licence
Omega Resource Group has been awarded its Gangmasters licence
