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Gangmaster's licence is revoked Gangmaster's licence is revoked
(about 2 hours later)
A gangmaster who left his Bulgarian workers to scavenge for food has had his licence revoked by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).A gangmaster who left his Bulgarian workers to scavenge for food has had his licence revoked by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA).
The 40 workers, employed by the firm Baltic Work Team in Redruth, Cornwall, were not paid for more than a month. The 40 workers, employed by the firm Baltic Work Team Limited in Redruth, Cornwall, were not paid for 35 days.
The workers had no money to buy food so they were left scavenging fields for food, the GLA said. The workers had no money to buy food so they were left scavenging fields for something to eat, the GLA said.
Baltic Work Team Limited, based on the Cardrew Industrial estate, has three weeks to appeal against the ruling.Baltic Work Team Limited, based on the Cardrew Industrial estate, has three weeks to appeal against the ruling.
'Protect workers'
The GLA has been investigating the company for a number of months, it said.The GLA has been investigating the company for a number of months, it said.
In February, the authority successfully argued Baltic should have its license taken away, but the company appealed. In February, the authority successfully argued Baltic should have its licence taken away, but the company appealed.
Now Baltic's directors face a 10 year prison sentence if they flout the latest ruling. It is unacceptable that the workers were left to scavenge in fields for food as they had not been paid for 35 days Paul Whitehouse,GLA chairman Now Baltic's directors face a 10 year prison sentence if they flout the latest ruling.
Paul Whitehouse, GLA Chairman said: "The GLA was set up to curb the exploitation of workers and in the case of Baltic Work Team Ltd, we had to take action immediately to protect the workers." Paul Whitehouse, GLA chairman, said: "Baltic must stop trading immediately. I find it incredulous that a business who had been given the chance at the appeal hearing to put their house in order and re-apply for a new licence would not take this opportunity."
He added: "Revoking a licence with immediate effect is a serious decision and is only taken when we find significant non-compliance.
"The GLA was set up to curb the exploitation of workers and in the case of Baltic Work Team Ltd, we had to take action immediately to protect the workers.
"It is unacceptable that the workers were left to scavenge in fields for food as they had not been paid for 35 days.
"It was only through the intervention of the GLA that the workers finally got their money."
Anyone who supplies workers to the agriculture, shellfish gathering, food and drink processing or packaging sectors in the UK needs to be licensed by the GLA.
It has been operating for just under a year and has revoked almost 30 licences.
This is only the second time it has been done with immediate effect.