Woman arrested on suspicion of attempting to supply migrant workers illegally to Telford chicken factory agents
A woman suspected of trying to supply migrant workers illegally to job agencies recruiting for a Telford chicken plant has been arrested.
The 25-year-old is being questioned by investigators from the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) after an attempt to provide seven workers for recruiters who find staff for meat processor factory Faccenda Foods.
The woman, who holds Romanian and German passports, has no licence to operate in this country.
Today bosses at the poultry factory based, in Hortonwood, said the matter came to light due to its robust screening procedures.
Faccenda Foods managing director Andy Dawkins said: “We’re absolutely clear that modern slavery and human trafficking have no place in the modern world and we are determined to protect colleagues from exploitation.
"We have robust compliance procedures in place chain and work closely with our suppliers, particularly our recruitment partners, to identify warning signs early and take action where necessary.
"On this particular occasion our recruitment partner identified a number of warning signs that suggested coercion. They immediately notified the GLAA, who are investigating further. None of the applicants were employed by either the agency or Faccenda.”
The company said two of the recruiting agencies for the site were alerted to the woman's activities last month and reported their concerns to the authority and added that it welcomed the investigation.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of operating as an illegal gangmaster following morning raids at two addresses in the Newbridge area of Wolverhampton on Tuesday.
Providing workers for roles in the fresh produce sector without a licence is a criminal offence under the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act and carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment.
The GLAA said that its inquiries were continuing.
Faccenda is among the borough's biggest employers, with more than 1,000 workers on its books.
Last year it agreed to set up a joint venture along with Cargill, the American company which employs more than 2,000 people in Herefordshire, to focus on chicken, turkey and duck production. The new business, when it is launched, is expected to meet "changing customer needs" in the retail and food service sectors.
The Telford factory site was given given a £35 million expansion three years ago, and now operates three production lines which can process two million chickens a week for customers including major supermarkets.
