20 June 2011

One man has been arrested and 20 others detained in Kent following an investigation into the exploitation of migrant labourers supplied to businesses, including farms.

A 30 year old Indian man was arrested on Thursday in an operation led by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) and HMRC Specialist Investigations. Kent and Essex police forces and Gravesham Borough Council officials were also involved. The man was arrested for supplying workers without a valid license; the other 20 arrests made were by border agency officials relating to ‘immigration offences.’

A GLA spokesperson said that an investigation into the serious exploitation of workers is ongoing, after £4,000 in unpaid wages was found at the residence of the man arrested. GLA chair Paul Whitehouse described the operation as ‘an excellent example of inter-agency co-operation’. He said, “We shall continue to work with our partners across the country to ensure the fair treatment of workers and a level playing field for businesses. We shall also work to identify any evidence of forced labour which may lead to further charges being brought.”