Morecambe Bay cockling disaster

Common card · No. 311411

On the evening of 5 February 2004, at least 22 Chinese labourers were drowned by an incoming tide at Morecambe Bay in Lancashire, North West England, while illegally harvesting cockles off the coast. Fifteen other labourers from the same group managed to return safely to shore. During the investigation and trial, it emerged that the labourers had immigrated illegally, were inexperienced, spoke little or no English and were unfamiliar with the area. The Chinese gangmaster who organised the trip and two associates of his were found guilty of manslaughter, of breaking immigration laws and other crimes, and were sentenced to several years in prison. The Gangmasters (Licensing) Act 2004 was passed in July of the same year to regulate labour practices in the agricultural and shellfish industries, leading to the establishment of the Gangmasters Licensing Authority.

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