A supplier of workers to a vegetable packing firm has lost its appeal to continue trading.

Newtex was one of three gangmasters investigated by the (Gangmasters Licensing Authority) GLA, following a raid at Simms and Wood.  It subsequently had its licences revoked.

Newtex was allowed to continue trading after appealing the revocation but this month was told to cease trading after its appeal against the (Gangmaster Licensing Authority) GLA decision was dismissed.

The company had falied to account to Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) for tax and national insurance contributions deducted from workers’ pay, to pay wages in accordance with the Agricultural Wages Order and to pay holiday pay and failure to ensure that workers are legally entitled to work in the UK.

In another case, Mr Nazir Ahmed of Primeval was inspected by the GLA after he applied for a new licence. The GLA found that Primeval was not, in fact, run by Mr Ahmed, but that it was a front for Mazhar Iqbal, gangmaster of previous business of A - Z Employment.

The  GLA  also revoked the licence of gangmaster Harnek Tung following a raid that uncovered worker exploitation at the Evesham vegetable packing firm, Simms and Wood in December 2007.