Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA)

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is a UK Government agency stopping worker exploitation. Funded by the Home Office, we are an evolved version of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), which was established following the death of 23 cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay in Feb 2004. This tragedy led to the introduction of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 and within that legislation was a provision to create a licensing authority - the GLA. Since 2005 we have regulated the supply of temporary labour into the UK fresh produce sector - farming, horticulture, shellfish gathering and all associated processing and packaging. We issue licences, check on the compliance of licence holders and investigate unlicensed supply of labour into the regulated sector. Unlicensed supply is a criminal offence with a maximum penalty of 10 years. Entering into arrangements with unlicensed providers is also illegal and carries up to 6 months. After a switch of sponsor department from D...