Agriculture: Seasonal Workers

(asked on 14th December 2022) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what redress to recoup migration costs is available to workers who enter the UK on the scheme to be told there is no work available for them.


Answered by
Robert Jenrick Portrait
Robert Jenrick
This question was answered on 22nd December 2022

The Seasonal Worker scheme is an ‘operator led’ immigration route, with four scheme operators selected to manage the placement of workers on UK farms and to ensure their welfare in the UK. This includes ensuring that workers are aware of their employment rights.

The Seasonal Worker scheme operators are responsible for managing all aspects of the recruitment and placement of workers on UK farms, and ensure workers have sufficient work as part of their sponsorship duties. The Home Office closely monitors the scheme operators to ensure they are complying with their sponsor duties. Non-compliance with the guidance could result in the revocation of their sponsor license.

Seasonal workers receive the same protections under UK law as resident workers, including employment laws. The Home Office and Defra maintain regular contact with scheme operators to ensure that they adhere to the stringent requirements set for ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the seasonal workers. All Seasonal Worker Scheme operators are also required to hold a Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) licence, as a condition of maintaining their role as a scheme operator. The responsibilities and remit of the GLAA are set out on their website.

Reticulating Splines