The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) yesterday signed a landmark deal with the UK’s leading retailers and suppliers to help tackle worker exploitation.

Asda, Co-operative Food, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose all signed up to the protocol.

The Fresh Produce Consortium and the National Farmers Union led the way for suppliers.

The protocol covers how information on worker abuse should be reported to the GLA and shared between relevant parties, plus what should happen after a GLA operation to ensure workers rights’ are protected.

FPC chief executive Nigel Jenney welcomed the move.

“This protocol recognises the importance of equal partnership between retailers and their suppliers to maximise the protection of vulnerable workers,” he said.

“The GLA has made great strides by working with the supply chain to bring rogue gangmasters to book and eliminate labour abuse across the fresh produce industry.”

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