Information for labour users

It is an offence for a labour user to enter into arrangements with an unlicensed gangmaster.  It will however be a defence if the labour user can show that s/he took all reasonable steps to check that the labour provider was licensed.  A consultation on the checks which would be considered reasonable to make was issued on 16 June with a deadline for comments on 8 September 2006.

The responses received strongly favoured the issue of Guidance rather than Regulations.  Guideance has been produced in collaboration with the UK Agriculture Departments, the GLA and key stakeholders.  It may be viewed by clicking on the link below

Guidance on the reasonable steps that a labour user can take to ensure that a labour provider is licensed - www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmmanage/working/gangmasters/documents/labourusers.pdf