MIGRANT workers in the Vale of Evesham are being given further backing to achieve fair working conditions and expose rogue gangmasters thanks to a new radio advertising campaign to be voiced in both Polish and Portuguese.
The four-week campaign, which began on Monday is the first Polish and Portuguese radio advertising campaign in Hereford and Worcestershire and adverts are set to be aired on Wyvern FM as well as other commercial stations across the two counties.
The campaign hopes to encourage workers in the agriculture, horticulture and food and drink processing and packaging industries to phone Crimestoppers or the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) helpline to report illegal or exploitative practices committed by labour providers and gangmasters.
Mike Wilson, chief executive of the GLA said: "We believe our adverts in Polish and Portuguese aimed at workers are a first for commercial radio. Through this campaign we want to build up trust with the workers who will be protected by the GLA so that they have the confidence to report the illegal gangmasters. We will use our powers to enforce the law while also offering advice and support to labour providers to get them licensed and remind them that they need to be licensed by October."
The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) is also adding its support to the campaign.
Marcia Roberts, the REC deputy chief executive and member of the GLA board, said: "We fully back the GLA's initiative to expose rogue gangmasters and to make workers fully aware of their rights."
By Sunday, October 1, gangmasters will need a licence or will be committing an offence which carries a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to £5,000.
Anyone who knows of any illegal gangmaster activity should contact 0845 602 5020 during office hours or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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