UK and Bulgaria sign gangmaster agreement

The agreement will allow the GLA access to information held in the native country of a gangmaster, regarding whether they are compliant with legislation in said country.

This information can then be used when the GLA is deciding whether to issue a gangmasters licence to the labour provider that will allow it to operate in the UK.

The agreement was made after the two countries collaborated when dealing with incidents of seasonal workers from Bulgaria being exploited in the UK.

It was agreed that such cases were likely to arise again so the collaboration was put in place to combat the problem.

Both state institutions will consequently sign an agreement for exchange of information under Directive 96/71 on working conditions for posted workers.

GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse said close collaboration between the two states would ensure exploitation was tackled at all points of the labour supply chain.

Roger Plant, head of the special action programme to combat forced labour at the International Labour Organisation agreed.

He said: “Combating it requires close co-operation between sender and destination countries, with labour inspectors playing a key role in both prevention and law enforcement, and organisations like the GLA leading the way through this process.”

The body is also in discussions with Polish officials regarding a similar agreement with Poland, said Dixon.

The GLA was established to protect workers in agriculture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging.

Operation Ajax was established in June 2008 to tackle illegal gangmasters in the UK through targeted enforcement through unannounced raids.

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