A Gravesend gangmaster has been refused a gangmaster licence as running a gangmaster business would breach the conditions of his work permit.

Intelligence checks revealed that Vinay Sharma, who intended to run Skyhawk Services  to provide workers into the GLA regulated sector, was only permitted to remain in the UK on the understanding that he was to work for another firm as an office systems manager.

The GLA concluded that if Sharma worked in a capacity other than for which leave was granted, he would breach his work permit conditions. This resulted in Sharma being declared as ‘not fit and proper’ to hold a GLA licence, meaning a two-year ban from acting as a gangmaster.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, said: “ No one should attempt to breach their work permit restrictions. We always check applicants for a licence to ensure they have the right to work as a gangmaster.”