Cornish gangmaster who 'systemically exploited' farm workers ceases trading

A Cornish gangmaster skimmed pay and made workers do long shifts with short breaks
A Cornish gangmaster skimmed pay and made workers do long shifts with short breaks

A Cornish gangmaster who "systematically exploited" her workers, who often worked on farms, has been shut down by the government.

29-year-old businesswoman Neringa Butkeviciute operated her business DNK Recruitment out of the Bosparva Caravan Park in Leedstown, Hayle, where she provided workers for various roles, including farm work at a nearby vegetable producer.

But an inspection by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) was carried out to check on how the licence holder was running her business after DNK was reported to the authority.

The GLAA found Ms Butkeviciute sent her workers out with insufficient breaks to boost her own profits, failed to pay them all they were due and also charged for accommodation in caravans that were deemed both unsanitary and unsafe.

Human waste was discovered leaking from sewage pipes under one caravan.

Her company failed eight of the authority’s Licensing Standards – four of them ‘critical’ – racking up a total of 144 penalty points.

A licence can be revoked after the discovery of one critical failure which carries 30 points.

'No concern shown'

The GLAA’s Head of Licensing Charlotte Woodliffe said she had "no sympathy" for Ms Butkeviciute who had shown a flagrant disregard for the safety and welfare of her employees.

“Having read through the evidence we uncovered in this case it was clear that the profits of the company appeared to be the only concern for DNK Recruitment,” she said.

“No care or concern was shown about whether the workers were being treated fairly, receiving the correct amounts of time off and wages or were housed in safe and sanitary living accommodation.

“The GLAA licensing scheme exists to protect vulnerable workers. In cases like this, where the bottom line appears to be the only thing that matters at the cost of the health and safety of its employees then we have no hesitation in taking away a gangmaster’s licence.”

Worker accommodation was a major concern after issues were found with the caravans being used including: leaking waste pipes; broken doors and windows; mould on walls, curtains and windows; a leaking shower that had caused the floor in one van to collapse; general overcrowding; defective smoke detectors and electric heaters placed close to bedding.

DNK has not appealed the revocation decision and is understood to have ceased trading and vacated the caravan park in Hayle. The workers have found alternative employment.