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| Gangmaster law 'will save lives' | Gangmaster law 'will save lives' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Rules outlawing unlicensed gangmasters which come into force over the weekend will help save the lives of exploited workers, a trade union has claimed. | Rules outlawing unlicensed gangmasters which come into force over the weekend will help save the lives of exploited workers, a trade union has claimed. |
| Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act, unlicensed operators who supply workers to the agricultural and food-processing industries face up to 10 years in jail. | Under the Gangmasters Licensing Act, unlicensed operators who supply workers to the agricultural and food-processing industries face up to 10 years in jail. |
| The T&G Union said the Act would help prevent a repeat of a 2004 tragedy when 21 illegal Chinese cocklers died. | The T&G Union said the Act would help prevent a repeat of a 2004 tragedy when 21 illegal Chinese cocklers died. |
| The deaths, in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, prompted the new laws. | The deaths, in Morecambe Bay, Lancashire, prompted the new laws. |
| The cockle-pickers, all illegal immigrants, were swept away by the tide. Their gangmaster was held responsible and convicted of manslaughter. | |
| The new laws, which come into force on Sunday, affect recruitment agencies as well as gangmasters. | The new laws, which come into force on Sunday, affect recruitment agencies as well as gangmasters. |
| 'Modern-day slavery' | 'Modern-day slavery' |
| Jack Dromey, of the T&G, said Sunday would mark "the beginning of the end of rogue gangmasters". | Jack Dromey, of the T&G, said Sunday would mark "the beginning of the end of rogue gangmasters". |
| Unfortunately you can remain a gangmaster and go off into construction and hospitality where you don't need to be licensed Paul WhitehouseGangmaster Licensing Authority | Unfortunately you can remain a gangmaster and go off into construction and hospitality where you don't need to be licensed Paul WhitehouseGangmaster Licensing Authority |
| He accused them of practising "modern-day slavery", saying "some will go to jail, sending a message - never again, Morecambe Bay". | He accused them of practising "modern-day slavery", saying "some will go to jail, sending a message - never again, Morecambe Bay". |
| Official labour suppliers must register with the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA), which said about 1,000 operators out of an estimated 2,000 had so far applied. | Official labour suppliers must register with the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA), which said about 1,000 operators out of an estimated 2,000 had so far applied. |
| Although the rule change comes into force on Sunday, labour suppliers in the shellfish industry have until next April to comply. | Although the rule change comes into force on Sunday, labour suppliers in the shellfish industry have until next April to comply. |
| Illegal work | Illegal work |
| GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse told the BBC the authority was "doing reasonably well" and had issued 600 licences so far. | GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse told the BBC the authority was "doing reasonably well" and had issued 600 licences so far. |
| But he expressed concern at the numbers of gangmasters who had not applied. | But he expressed concern at the numbers of gangmasters who had not applied. |
| While some of these were simply unaware of the new rules, he said he suspected that others would continue to work illegally. | While some of these were simply unaware of the new rules, he said he suspected that others would continue to work illegally. |
| He pledged to track down illegal operators, saying the public and industry could help by passing on information. | He pledged to track down illegal operators, saying the public and industry could help by passing on information. |
| "Those who are in the business and are being undercut by those who are illegal will no doubt be telling us. | "Those who are in the business and are being undercut by those who are illegal will no doubt be telling us. |
| "At the same time, we also have our own compliance enforcement officers out there who are getting to know the users of labour." | "At the same time, we also have our own compliance enforcement officers out there who are getting to know the users of labour." |
| But Mr Whitehouse said some gangmasters would move out of agriculture and food-processing into unregulated industries. | But Mr Whitehouse said some gangmasters would move out of agriculture and food-processing into unregulated industries. |
| "Unfortunately you can remain a gangmaster and go off into construction and hospitality where you don't need to be licensed." | "Unfortunately you can remain a gangmaster and go off into construction and hospitality where you don't need to be licensed." |
| From 1 December it will also become an offence for a business to use the services of an unlicensed gangmaster or agency. | From 1 December it will also become an offence for a business to use the services of an unlicensed gangmaster or agency. |