15.05.17 Fined for operating in GLAA sector without a licence
15 May 2017
15 May 2017
Director of ASAP Recruitment, Alison Andrews, pleaded guilty to an offence of unlicensed labour supply under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act, and was also issued fines which totalled £4k, when she admitted that she had been supplying workers to a fish processing plant without the appropriate gangmaster license.
Ms Andrews was fined £1k by magistrates in Yeovil, and was also ordered to pay a £100 Victim Surcharge as well as £85 contribution towards costs. ASAP Recruitment received a more extensive fine of £3k plus a £120 Victim Surcharge and £85 contribution towards costs for the offence which occurred when supplying labour to a fish factory in Devon in 2015.
The court was told that Ms Andrews was fully aware of the requirement to hold the appropriate Gangmasters license when supplying workers in the UK fresh produce sector as formal warnings were issued to Ms Andrews and ASAP Recruitment on three separate occasions by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) (then operating as the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)). It was also established that Ms Andrews had been a director with ASAP Staff SW Ltd in Devon when they had their GLA license revoked in 2009 and a subsequent application by Ms Andrews following the revocation was refused by the GLA.
To read the full announcement on the GLAA website, click here.
Aspire Comment
The GLA has now undergone the transformation into the GLAA which saw the existing remit extended so that the GLAA could consider allegations of labour abuse in all aspects of UK business. With a wider remit to investigate all labour sectors, it is important to ensure that you remain vigilant about your labour supply chains and your employer obligations in order to avoid any financial and reputational risks, as ignorance, in the GLAA sector particularly, could lead to criminal proceedings and fines.
If you are concerned about your supply of labour or you are unsure about your obligations in relation to the GLAA, please feel free to give Aspire a call.