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Name of Resource | Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 |
Type | Legislation |
Country / jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
Enacting authority | Parliament of the United Kingdom |
Entry into force / date of approval | 8 July 2004 |
Description | The Gangmasters Act 2004 aims to safeguard the welfare and interests of workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering, and any associated processing and packaging. The Act came about after the death of at least 21 migrant cockle pickers in northwest England in 2004, an incident which raised public awareness of the exploitation of migrant workers in the United Kingdom agricultural and food processing sector. The Act establishes regulations and licensing procedures for anyone employing, placing or supervising a worker employed in the above-mentioned industries, as well as for employment agencies. It makes it a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment and/or a fine, for labour providers to operate without a license, employers to knowingly use the services of an unlicensed labour provider, and to obstruct the work of enforcement officers. The Act also established the Gangmasters Licensing Authority, a non-departmental public body that issues licenses and ensures compliance through inspections. The Authority provides informational material for workers in 18 different languages, and maintains a public list of labour providers who are licensed or who have applied for a license. |
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