Gangmasters are being given the chance to sign up to a new code of practice.
The Association of Labour Providers, the group set up to represent the interest of legitimate gangmasters, has drawn up a draft code.
The concept is to show ALP members are committed to high standards and to prepare the ground for the statutory regime, due to arrive in 2005.
The draft, which draws on work by the Ethical Trading Initiative, has been published on the ALP web site and comments are invited by April 21.
Mark Boleat, chairman of the ALP, said: “There will be a statutory licensing regime, but this is unlikely to come into effect until well into next year.
“An interim arrangement is needed to identify those labour providers committed to operating within the law.”
n A suspected illegal gangmaster was remanded in custody by magistrates in Thetford last week. Ukrainian Victor Solomka, 49, of Kings Lynn, Norfolk, is charged with plotting to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK.