Fri, 18 Oct 2013Construction union UCATT has criticised the government for failing to extend the Gangmasters Licensing Authority to cover sectors – including construction – which use a high amount of casualised labour.

In a statement released today [18 October 2013], UCATT accused the government of “a lack of joined-up thinking” following their announcement of longer sentences for those guilty of human trafficking and exploitation.

“If the GLA was extended to construction and other similar sectors there would be far less opportunity to traffic and exploit workers as both the hirer and supplier would be liable to prosecution for using workers from an unlicensed company,” the union said.

This week the government proposed simplifying the law on slavery, making prosecutions easier, and handing out a life sentence to those guilty of the worst cases of exploitation and trafficking.

UCATT general secretary Steve Murphy says: “The government is trying to look tough on trafficking and exploitation as that would upset their friends in business.”

Murphy went on to say: “If the government was serious about reducing trafficking and exploitation then they would adopt a joined-up strategy. When it comes to human trafficking in the workplace by far the best solution is to give the GLA the power to expose companies and individuals involved in the exploitation of workers.”

GLA leaders were not available for comment by press deadlines on Friday.