Gangmaster Bill not for building

A law forcing gangmasters to seek licences and keep employment records on casual labourers will not be extended to cover the construction industry.
The Gangmasters Bill, which was given an unopposed second reading in the House of Commons last Friday, will make it a criminal offence to operate as a gang labour provider while not registered and to engage an unlicensed gangmaster.
UCATT and the Construction Confederation were hoping the bill could be extended to cover building sites. But a spokeswoman for the Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs warned this would not happen in the "near future".
"If numerable amendments were made, the whole bill would be in danger of falling on its feet," she said.