Migrant workers in Angus have been subjected to forced labour, threats and substandard living conditions, it emerged last night.
About 200 workers hired to pick flowers for Grampian Growers, near Montrose, were paid just 4p for a bunch of daffodils, or £24 for a nine-hour day.
Polish workers were employed through gangmaster Jonathan Beckson, a director of Timberland Homes.
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) said yesterday it had revoked the Suffolk-based firm’s licence and reported the case to the UK Human Trafficking Centre. Timberland Homes has been banned from trading while the centre decides if Mr Beckson is to be arrested and charged with breaking the law on forced labour.
An investigation discovered the gangmaster had made threats against workers’ families if they left the job without paying a £700 charge.
They were housed in substandard farm accommodation at Crofts Farm in Redford, with up to eight workers sharing a small room.
GLA investigators found 43 people were sharing just four toilets, with poor kitchen facilities and fire and hygiene hazards.
A report has also been sent to the fiscal over the transportation of workers alleging breaches of insurance legislation and Vehicle and Operator Services Agency regulations.
GLA chairman Paul Whitehouse said: “There is another world out there that the vast majority of us are lucky enough not to see.
“Forced labour, intimidation and abuse at work is something nobody should experience but we are uncovering it too frequently.
“Some labour-providers are doing a great job in a tough industry, but the rogue gangmasters are making workers’ lives a misery and it is these crooks that we are committed to catching. We are getting results through strong enforcement activities, which is the only way to stop this exploitation.”
He added: “Some industry insiders have described us as draconian. We are. We are also ugly and intend to get uglier with those who abuse the vulnerable at work.”
Grampian Growers managing director Mark Clark said the company completed a weekly check to ensure labour-providers were complying with GLA criteria.
He said: “We give Timberland Homes, on a weekly basis, a note of the hours worked and we pay them on a weekly basis.
“Timberland Homes is responsible for paying individual workers. We pay £5.52 per hour and £6.52 for overtime. The accommodation is procured by Timberland Homes.”
He added: “It’s very important to our business that we abide by the rules and regulations the GLA sets out, and we are proud to do that.”
Montrose councillor David May said he had notified the council’s director of infrastructure services as a matter of urgency.
“Migrant workers play a very significant role in the Angus economy.
“All the councillors in Angus strongly support the need for migrant workers to get fair and equitable treatment.”
No one from Timberland Homes was available for comment yesterday.