Johnathan Beckson, director of Timberland Homes Ltd, based at Lakenheath Hall, threatened workers with huge deductions from their wages and warned that their families in their home countries would be involved if they left his employment, according to the Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA).

The authority, which revoked Beckson's licence on Tuesday, said he had imposed 'shocking' conditions on his employees, who were used for daffodil picking in Cornwall and Montrose, Scotland.

Paul Whitehouse, chairman of the GLA, 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 we are committed to catching."

Investigations by the GLA revealed that Beckson's workers were housed in sub-standard accomodation, described as 'abhorrent' and transported in prohibited, uncertified vehicles.

Threatening letters were sent to workers telling them they were not free to leave before the end of their contract without paying £700.

Some workers told the GLA they received £24 for a nine-hour day and were paid 4p per bunch of flowers picked. No timesheets were used, so pay could not be accurately recorded.

Workers were also charged for the protective clothing needed to carry out their jobs.

Beckson has been warned that he faces prosecution if he continues to supply labour for the agriculture, horticulture and shellfish gathering industries in the UK and the GLA said it had passed details of the case to the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC).

Jack Dromey, deputy general secretary of the union Unite, said: "The breadth and depth of this abuse is staggering.

"This action by the GLA will free these workers from a working hell and send a powerful signal to other employers in this sector that if they cheat workers, then they will be put out of business."

The GLA was set-up to curb the exploitation of workers following the deaths of 23 Chinese cockle pickers in Morecambe Bay in 2004.

The Bury Free Press was unable to contact Mr Beckson.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Click here to go back to our main news index.