Gangmaster's business is closed down

A GANGMASTER, who failed to ensure the safety of his workers, has had his business shut down.Vilnius Recruitment Ltd, based in Leiston, which supplied workers to cut roses, pick cabbages and work in a duck factory, has had its licence revoked by The Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

A GANGMASTER, who failed to ensure the safety of his workers, has had his business shut down.

Vilnius Recruitment Ltd, based in Leiston, which supplied workers to cut roses, pick cabbages and work in a duck factory, has had its licence revoked by The Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

GLA officers found cars used to transport the workers were uninsured despite prior warnings, accommodation charges were unacceptably high, health and safety training and agreements were not in place and overtime was not paid.

Neros Nerijus, director of Vilnius Recruitment, originally had his licence revoked in October 2007 and was allowed to continue trading during the appeal process.

During this period Mr Nerijus had applied for new licence.

However upon investigation, GLA officers found that issues previously raised had not been dealt with and the situation had got worse.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, said: “Mr Nerijus is not fit to hold a GLA licence and showed a complete disregard for his legal responsibilities and his duty of care to the workers.”

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packaging industries