In the UK two major changes have been the development of the Temporary Labour Working Group and its Code of Practice and the passing of the Gangmaster Licensing Act in 2004.

The Gangmaster Licensing Act - is esigned to curb criminal activities of gangmasters and increase transparency in the provision of temporary labour by making it much easier to distinguish between legal and illegal operators.

The Gangmaster Licensing Act creates 4 new offences:

• Operating without a license
• Presenting false documents
• Using an unlicensed LP (Labour Provider)
• Obstruction

The Act applies to all LPs who provide labour to the agriculture and fishing industries. This includes the growing, harvesting and packing of these goods. Consultation is currently under way to see if secondary stage processing would be included.

The Gangmaster Licensing Authority was set up in Aprril 2005 to establish and operate the licensing scheme.

For countries outside the UK:

1. Go to the ILO database of national laws (NATLEX) dealing with labour standards. "Browse by subject" (in left hand nav) until you find "Conditions of Employment". Then choose your own country to find laws and regulations. Copy and Paste into a file of your own for future reference. 2.Look at the ILO Conventions(ILOLEX). Choose "Display by Subject", then choose "Employment Policy". Click on it then find "Ratifications by country" to find what your country has done.

Follow Use of Agency Labour