The GLA has revoked the licence of a Cambridgeshire gangmaster after uncovering evidence of “shocking abuse”.

The authority received a catalogue of complaints that ELS Recruitment director Shamus Paul had allegedly assaulted one worker and that others had been “threatened and verbally abused” by him and his staff.

The investigation into the treatment of staff supplied to Allpress Farms in Peterborough, also found hours deducted from workers’ pay with no explanation, no statutory sick pay and no evidence of health and safety training.  The Licence has been revoked with immediate effect.
 
“ELS Recruitment Ltd controlled where some of the workers lived, if they worked, how they got to work and even if they got paid for working. Anybody who abuses this amount of control over the lives of others deserves to face the consequences,” said Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA.

Workers were told that if they complained they would be fired and reported a van, used for company transport, was "frightening" and overcrowded. They were forced to pay £4.50 a day for the service or face the sack. One worker even told the GLA they had to pay for the transport on days they weren't working.

Often workers had not seen copies of their contracts, which were found to have fake details and allegedly contained fake signatures.

Training hadn't been given and workers were told they would not be paid if they took holiday.

The workers picked produce for Allpress Farms who supply leeks to Produce World a client of Sainsbury's.
"Sainsbury’s and Produce World working at pace to fully support the work of the GLA and secure all of the workers continuing employment," said the GLA.