The High Court has ruled in favour of six Lithuanian men who were victims of trafficking and exploitation at a Kent-based company supplying labour to British poultry farms and factories. The men will now be awarded damages.
The men worked for D.J. Houghton Catching Services, based in Kent. In 2012, the company had its licence to supply labour revoked by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), which described it as 'the worst UK gangmaster ever'. (Gangmasters are companies that supply temporary labour to British food firms, and must be licensed by the GLA.)
Houghton was found to have charged illegal fees, withheld wages, and failed to provide adequate facilities to wash, rest, eat and drink.
The claimants' lawyer said British food firms must now take steps to eradicate all forms of modern slavery from their supply chains or face similar claims.
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