Temporary Labour Working Group
Encyclopedia
The Temporary Labour Working Group was a UK industry consortium set up to establish a set of minimum standards for employment agencies working in agriculture
and horticulture
. It was founded in September 2002 and convened by the Ethical Trading Initiative
. It led to the passing of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
and the formation of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority
. http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=group
It produced a code of practice http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=code concerned with illegal and unsafe working. It states that "It is well known that some labour providers act illegally, by for example employing illegal workers, evading tax and not paying the minimum wage." http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=faq
Employment agencies
(called "labour providers") were audited to check on actual working conditions. Although signing up to the code was voluntary the Association of Labour Providers made it a requirement of membership and the Fresh Produce Consortium and the National Farmers Union recommended it.
The last audit took place on 12 May 2006. The industry is now regulated by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority
.
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...
and horticulture
Horticulture
Horticulture is the industry and science of plant cultivation including the process of preparing soil for the planting of seeds, tubers, or cuttings. Horticulturists work and conduct research in the disciplines of plant propagation and cultivation, crop production, plant breeding and genetic...
. It was founded in September 2002 and convened by the Ethical Trading Initiative
Ethical Trading Initiative
The Ethical Trading Initiative is an alliance of companies, trade unions and voluntary organisations working in partnership to improve the working lives of people across the globe who make or grow consumer goods....
. It led to the passing of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
The Gangmasters Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that regulates the agencies that place vulnerable workers in agricultural work, and the shellfish collecting and packing industries . It is the most recent plank of UK agency worker law...
and the formation of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority is an agency in the United Kingdom regulating the supply of workers to the agricultural, horticultural and shellfish industries...
. http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=group
It produced a code of practice http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=code concerned with illegal and unsafe working. It states that "It is well known that some labour providers act illegally, by for example employing illegal workers, evading tax and not paying the minimum wage." http://www.lpcode.co.uk/content.asp?link=faq
Employment agencies
Employment agency
An employment agency is an organization which matches employers to employees. In all developed countries there is a publicly funded employment agency and multiple private businesses which also act as employment agencies.-Public employment agencies:...
(called "labour providers") were audited to check on actual working conditions. Although signing up to the code was voluntary the Association of Labour Providers made it a requirement of membership and the Fresh Produce Consortium and the National Farmers Union recommended it.
The last audit took place on 12 May 2006. The industry is now regulated by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority
Gangmasters Licensing Authority
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority is an agency in the United Kingdom regulating the supply of workers to the agricultural, horticultural and shellfish industries...
.