Bid to tackle food worker abuse

The GLA targets exploitation in food processing and agriculture

Exploitation of food supply workers could be combated by a joint plan from the UK's main supermarkets and the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).

The GLA and firms including Tesco and Sainsbury's have drawn up a draft protocol on joint checks of suppliers and sharing information on any abuses.

The strategy aims to unearth cases of abuse of vulnerable workers.

The GLA was set up to protect low-paid workers after the 2004 deaths of 21 cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay, Lancs.

The GLA and supermarkets would conduct joint visits in the supply chain, and any suppliers found to be exploiting workers could face the sack by retailers.

BBC employment correspondent Martin Shankleman said: "The hope is that this will unearth fresh cases of abuse amongst vulnerable workers employed either in the factories or the fields.

"At the same time, it could identify any labour providers yet to comply with the licensing regime."

GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse said information gathered by the authority suggested exploitation was spreading.

The retailers would be advised on "what to look out for, so that they may spot the sort of thing that we would be interested in stopping", he said.

"The end result of all of that is that we prevent exploitation not only of the worker but of the public, because most of the people who exploit workers also don't pay their taxes and that affects everybody."

At least 21 Chinese cockle pickers drowned when they were cut off by the tide in treacherous weather at Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, on 5 February 2004.

A gangmaster was jailed over the deaths and deported to China.

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