British labor academy launches training scheme to assist employers, workers

An authority set up in Britain 10 years ago following the Morecambe Bay tragedy that left 23 Chinese cockle pickers drowned, announced Monday its first ever accredited training scheme.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) said the move was part of its mission to step up the fight to protect workers from exploitation in British supply chains.

The agency joined forces with the University of Derby's International Policing and Justice Institute to create a new GLA Academy to jointly develop a bespoke training package.

Academy participants will qualify for a certificate in professional development, which will assist labor providers, labor users and retailers to meet the requirements of the modern slavery act.

GLA chief executive Paul Broadbent said today: "Organized crime groups have clearly identified that the labor supply chain is an area to be targeted in order to exploit workers."

"Our accredited training program will give businesses some of the tools to tackle exploitative practice," he added.

Nigel Jenney, CEO of the Fresh Produce Consortium, welcomed the introduction of the scheme, saying: "This is a unique opportunity to be trained by the GLA professionals."

The first course, which starts on Nov. 30, is aimed at people and organizations involved in supply chains using mainly casual labor, compliance managers, contract and technical managers, and labor co-ordinators.

The GLA, which operates across Britain, was formed in 2005 in the wake of the Morecambe Bay cockle picking disaster when 23 Chinese workers drowned on the sands.

The tragedy occurred on the evening of Feb. 5, 2004 when a group of Chinese migrant laborers were trapped by an incoming tide after picking cockles off the Irish Sea coast.

The authority issues licenses to companies that supply labor for agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering as well as all associated processing and packaging. Endit