Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004
Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (c. 11) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom regulating agency workers.
.svg)
| Act of Parliament | |||||||
| |||||||
| Long title | An Act to make provision for the licensing of activities involving the supply or use of workers in connection with agricultural work, the gathering of wild creatures and wild plants, the harvesting of fish from fish farms, and certain processing and packaging; and for connected purposes. | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citation | 2004 c. 11 | ||||||
| Territorial extent | [b] | ||||||
| Dates | |||||||
| Royal assent | 8 July 2004 | ||||||
| Commencement | various[c] | ||||||
| |||||||
Status: Amended | |||||||
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |||||||
| Revised text of statute as amended | |||||||
| Text of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |||||||
Background
The legislation was proposed soon after 23 Chinese cockle-pickers died as a result of the Morecambe Bay cockling disaster.[1]
Legislative passage
The legislation was passed as a private member's bill.[2]
Provisions
The act establishes a system of registration and licensing for employers.[3]
Those operating without a licence can receive a sentence of up to 10 years, and farmers and food companies can face a sentence of up to 6 months.[4]
The authority regulates the agriculture, shellfish and processing and packing sectors.[1]
Commencement
The following commencement orders have been made for this act:
- Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2004 (SI 2004/2857)
- Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 2) Order 2005 (SI 2005/447)
- Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 3) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2406)
- Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 4) Order 2006 (SI 2006/2906)
- Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 (Commencement No. 5) Order 2007 (SI 2007/695)
Reception
The bill was supported by the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee.[5]
