Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether all workers already in the UK on the Seasonal Worker visa whose visas were sponsored by Ethero have been placed with a different Scheme Operator.

Provisions have been put in place to make certain that there is no detriment to individuals who were sponsored by Ethero. However, it is not within the remit of the Home Office to support workers in pursuing compensation claims.

The Home Office has also ensured that there is continuity of work with alternative sponsors for those who were originally attached to Ethero’s sponsor licence.

Organisations seeking to become scheme operators pass through a multifaceted selection process. This includes assessment and endorsement by the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs as well as holding licencing from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority. They must also successfully apply for a sponsor licence from the Home Office.

We will continually work to ensure strong due diligence and safeguards in the sponsor licensing process.