[Scotland] M&S to interview UK government scheme workers after unfair working practices flagged

UK supermarket Marks and Spencer (M&S) has pledged to interview migrant agricultural workers on a Scottish fruit farm - via a UK Government scheme - in the wake of claims of unfair working practices, The National reports.

M&S confirmed its intention to speak to this year’s migrant workers at Castleton Farm in Aberdeenshire - one of the retailer’s strawberry suppliers - after concerns about fair pay were raised.

The Castleton fruit pickers’ concerns have arisen at the same time as a March 2021 report by London-based charity Focus on Labour Exploitation (Flex) highlighted the risks of labour exploitation associated with the UK Government’s seasonal agricultural workers scheme pilot.

The study reportedly used data collected from workers placed by the government scheme on twelve unnamed Scottish farms. It found no cases of human trafficking - a problem at some UK farms - and did highlight some good practice. However, the study also claimed to have evidence of forced labour indicators; degrading conditions and “excessive dependency on employers”.

The scheme is expanding this year and Flex is warning that the combination of Brexit -  ending free movement - and COVID-19 restrictions will create “the perfect storm” of risk for migrants coming to work in the UK this year.

UK supermarket Marks and Spencer (M&S) has pledged to interview migrant agricultural workers on a Scottish fruit farm - via a UK Government scheme - in the wake of claims of unfair working practices, The National reports.

M&S confirmed its intention to speak to this year’s migrant workers at Castleton Farm in Aberdeenshire - one of the retailer’s strawberry suppliers - after concerns about fair pay were raised.

The Castleton fruit pickers’ concerns have arisen at the same time as a March 2021 report by London-based charity Focus on Labour Exploitation (Flex) highlighted the risks of labour exploitation associated with the UK Government’s seasonal agricultural workers scheme pilot.

The study reportedly used data collected from workers placed by the government scheme on twelve unnamed Scottish farms. It found no cases of human trafficking - a problem at some UK farms - and did highlight some good practice. However, the study also claimed to have evidence of forced labour indicators; degrading conditions and “excessive dependency on employers”.

The scheme is expanding this year and Flex is warning that the combination of Brexit -  ending free movement - and COVID-19 restrictions will create “the perfect storm” of risk for migrants coming to work in the UK this year.