WIREDGOV

The TUC has yesterday (Tuesday) slammed the announcement by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that it is to reduce the role of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

Under plans, published this morning, the GLA will no longer have powers to regulate the forestry sector, land agents and cleaning contractors operating in the food processing industry.

Agencies in these sectors will no longer have to get a GLA licence before they start operating or be subject to inspections by the GLA.

In addition, the GLA will be stopped from carrying out automatic inspections on every company that applies for a new GLA licence.

The TUC says the moves will put thousands of vulnerable workers at risk and encourage rogue employment agencies to flout basic rights at work.

Instead of reducing the scope of the GLA, its remit should be extended to other high-risk sectors including construction, hospitality and social care, says the TUC.

TUC General Secretary Frances O'Grady said: 'This government seems determined to weaken the role of the GLA regardless of the impact it has on vulnerable workers.

'Cutting back inspections and stripping the GLA of powers will significantly increase the risk of rogue employers being granted a licence, under-cutting law-abiding agencies and abusing their workforces.

'The GLA was created after the Morecambe Bay tragedy to ensure that people working in high-risk industries are safe at work and properly paid.

'Ministers are not cutting back on 'red tape' they are getting rid of vital employment protections.''

NOTES TO EDITORS:

- The TUC's Campaign Plan can be downloaded from www.tuc.org.uk/campaignplan

- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

- Congress 2013 will be held at the Bournemouth International Centre from Sunday 8 September to Wednesday 11 September. Free media passes can be obtained by visiting www.tuc.org.uk/media_credentials and completing an online form. Applications must be in by noon on Wednesday 28 August. Any received later than that will be processed in Bournemouth and will cost £75.

- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Media enquiries:

Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07887 572130 E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk