By Aditi KhannaLondon, Oct 13 (PTI) An Indian-origin director of anemployment agency providing temporary staff to companies inthe West Midlands region of England has been banned for sevenyears for failing to adhere to the UK's licencing standards.
Sukhjit Sohal Singh, who was director of Phoenix MidlandsLtd, was disqualified by the UK's Insolvency Service.
He signed a Disqualification Undertaking, which bans himfrom acting as a company director or from managing or in anyway controlling a limited company from September 5 2017 untilSeptember 4 2024, the Insolvency Service said.
"When directors of a company do not comply withlegislation that is designed to protect employees, andavoidable losses result, the Insolvency Service will fullyinvestigate the circumstances and take action whereappropriate.""These disqualifications send a clear message thatexploitation of vulnerable workers will not be tolerated,"said Aldona O'Hara, Chief Investigator of InsolventInvestigations Midlands & West at the Insolvency Service.
Singh was a director of Phoenix Midlands Limited, anemployment agency that went into Creditors' VoluntaryLiquidation on November 13, 2015 owing 841,566 pounds tocreditors.
Between June 13, 2013 and at least February 5, 2015,Singh failed to ensure that Phoenix Midlands Limited compliedwith Licensing Standards set out by the Gangmasters LicensingAuthority (GLA), the region's regulatory body.
In particular, he was deemed "not fit and proper" to holda GLA licence, as he not been candid and truthful in alldealings with them.
In addition, he had not demonstrated a readiness andwillingness to comply with the requirements and standards ofthe regulatory system and with other legal, regulatory andprofessional requirements and standards.
The GLA licence was therefore revoked.
Among the offences committed by Singh, included notregistering the company with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) forincome tax and National Insurance purposes.
He is now subject to a Disqualification Undertaking,which is the administrative equivalent of a disqualificationorder in the UK but do not involve court proceedings. PTI AKAMS AKJAMS.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.