Memorandum submitted by Mr D Piccaver
(V8)
(A) THE
IMPACT OF
ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES
ON LEGITIMATE
GANGMASTERS
Legitimate gangmasters are in existence because
sectors of the agricultural and horticultural industries have
demanded itie because the employer has on good business
practice or on moral grounds demanded assurance and confirmation
by signing a declaration that the said gangmaster will provide
casual labour whom are legally permitted to work or be in the
UK. It is also fair to say in the last five to seven years the
multiple retail, and prepared food sectors have also demanded
assurance of ethical standards with regard to employment of casual
or long term casual workers.
However there is in the food chain, the other
side of the coin, no moral or ethical standards and these are
not required by the wholesale sectorsmall shop sector or
catering sector. This creates a market place where non-compliance
of minimum wage or "any wage goes" because the "illegals"
are at a disadvantage by fact of deportation or prosecution if
caught. This creates a two tier labour market which immediately
puts those who do the job properly at a severe economic disadvantage.
(B) FARMERS
AND OTHER
HIRERS
The economic factor is a strong force, with
very severe competition at all levels of the supply chain, producers,
packers, prepared food companies and retailers.
Therefore the temptation is high with no proper
statutory controls over illegals, to employ illegals where one
can get away with it whether through lack of legal or commercial
requirements.
Therefore where labour represents 30-70% of
the production cost the temptation to employ "cheap"
labour is high and creates unfair competition.
(C) THE
COMPETITIVENESS AND
VIABILITY OF
CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICES
These people come to work in this country for
solely economic reasons, it produces other spin offs in creating
links in those countries where they come from. This assumes they
are paid properly and treated fairly and with every consideration
that a UK citizen currently enjoys.
The horticultural industry and other sectors
of the supply chain would, without a doubt, collapse without these
people being available to usI must stress this point.
The stigma of illegals and "hyped"
press reporting is a serious threat to this sector and the ability
to hire these people for work. It is vital for measures to be
taken to achieve measured regulation(1) registration of
gangmasters and labour providers; (2) ID cards would sort out
many issues.
(D) SUPERMARKETS
AND OTHER
RETAILERS
I have already said, unfair competition is here,
where labour is a major cost in the process, the ability to squeeze
those in the food chain who provide good wages and conditions
are put under too much pressure.
The whole problem is driven by economics, these
people want to work and the consumer wants high quality safe food
at the most economic price.
We need to see the appropriate action taken
after careful consideration.
David Piccaver
28 April 2003
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