The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) has launched its first operation in Scotland, exercising powers to conduct spot checks on gangmasters in the fields of Perthshire, Angus and Aberdeenshire.

GLA enforcement officers checked the farms and fields to see if any unlicensed gangmasters are operating in the region and ensuring any licensed gangmasters are continuing to meet the set standards.

Mike Wilson, chief executive of the GLA, says: “This is the first of continuing checks that will be carried out in Scotland. There are already 70 licensed labour providers in Scotland but we believe there are still a lot of unlicensed providers out there and this sort of operation is aimed at finding and prosecuting them. 

 “Unannounced visits of the type that we are carrying out today will continue to be an important part of the GLA enforcement strategy. Labour providers are strongly advised not to cut legal corners.”

Lincolnshire labour provider A A A Personnel of Spalding has become the first company in the region to have its licence revoked in the region after failing to appeal against the initial revocation decision.