GANGMASTERS

Early day motion 423, tabled 14 January 2004 by Jim Sheridan (Labour). Signed by 183 members.

That this House acknowledges that, while no official figures are available, estimates suggest that there are 3,000 gangmasters operating in the UK's agriculture, horticulture and food processing and packaging industries and that these gangmasters employ, supply and supervise some 60,000 gang workers for these industries; recognises that many gangmasters act responsibly and within the law and that they and their gang workers make a vital contribution to our economy; however, notes with concern the findings of both the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee and the National Criminal Intelligence Service that unscrupulous rogue gangmasters are exploiting and intimidating workers, often breaching human rights and engaging in a range of criminal activities such as illegal deductions from wages, failure to pay the minimum wage or sickness pay, tax fraud, human trafficking, smuggling and the supply of drugs; believes that weak voluntary codes have left gangworkers unprotected and have undermined legitimate gangmasters, the taxpayer and the state; and recognises and welcomes the broad consensus embracing the NFU, the TUC, trades unions, major supermarkets, legitimate gangmasters, stakeholders within the industry and community groups that a robust statutory solution is now required.

Signatures by party: Labour 131, Liberal Democrat 18, Labour/Co-operative 13, Conservative 10, Plaid Cymru 4, Scottish National Party 4, UUP 2, DUP 1.