Published date: 21 November 2024

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Closing: 25 October 2024, 12pm

Contract summary

Industry

  • Research and development consultancy services - 73200000

Location of contract

SW1P 3JR

Value of contract

£0

Procurement reference

CF-0412200D8d000003VQwdEAG

Published date

21 November 2024

Closing date

25 October 2024

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

21 November 2024

Contract end date

30 April 2025

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Any interested supplier may submit a tender in response to an opportunity notice.

This procedure can be used for procurements above the relevant contract value threshold.

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Migrants using the Seasonal Worker visa route are at risk of exploitation as reported in the ICIBI report (e.g. para 3.45) and DLME's UK Labour Market Enforcement Strategy 2022-23 which notes agriculture is a 'high risk sector' for seasonal workers. These risks include debt bondage from costs incurred whilst travelling to and working in the UK and costs incurred in migrants' home countries.
Adoption of the Employer Pays Principle (EPP) has been cited by various organisations such as the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB) and many retailers as potentially important to mitigating these risks. IHRB defines the EPP as "No worker should pay for a job - the costs of recruitment should be borne not by the worker but by the employer." The definition of recruitment fees and related costs in this project will match those of the International Labour Organization's (ILO) definition, i.e. "any fees or costs incurred in the recruitment process in order for workers to secure employment or placement, regardless of the manner, timing or location of their imposition or collection". Further itemised definitions of recruitment fees and related costs are included in the ILO General principles and operational guidelines for fair recruitment and Definition of recruitment fees and related costs.

Requirement
The objective is to produce a cost analysis and potential models of implementing the EPP for horticulture seasonal workers and to identify the potential economic and welfare implications.
The project, as specified below, will be processed via an open competition and the intention is to commence in November 2024 for around six months.
The primary goal of this work is to reduce risk for workers whilst reasonably taking into account considerations such as food security, sustainability of the UK horticulture sector, consumers, etc.

Scope
a) Only the horticulture sector.
b) Only seasonal workers will be considered.
c) UK-wide (given workers can transfer between farms in different regions of the UK).
d) All recruitment fees and related costs as defined in the ILO Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs, including those that are legal for workers to pay such as travel costs, should be considered within the economic modelling of the cost of EPP.
e) Additional illegitimate, unreasonable and undisclosed costs, also defined in the ILO Definition of Recruitment Fees and Related Costs, should not be factored into the economic modelling except in assessments of potential positive or negative consequences. This is a limitation of the study that needs to be managed through effective due diligence in the implementation phase.

More information

Attachments

Award information

Awarded date

21 November 2024

Contract start date

21 November 2024

Contract end date

30 April 2025

Total value of contract

£134,900

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Alma Economics

Address

43 Tanner Street SE1 3PL

Reference

None

About the buyer

Contact name

Defra

Address

17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR
UK

Telephone

03459335577

Email

dgcenquiries@defra.gov.uk