---
title: "The Employer Pays Principle Feasibility Study, within the Horticulture Value Cha"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS"
published: "2024-11-21"
---

# The Employer Pays Principle Feasibility Study, within the Horticulture Value Cha

Buyer: DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-926eea2b-81ef-4d75-897b-49dd9da708b3

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## Summary

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has awarded a contract for the feasibility study of the Employer Pays Principle within the horticulture value chain to Alma Economics. This project falls under the Research and Development consultancy services category (CPV code 73200000) and is focused on addressing the exploitation risks faced by migrants using the Seasonal Worker visa route within the UK horticulture sector. The open tender process concluded with the contract being awarded on 21 November 2024. The project will span from 21 November 2024 to 30 April 2025, highlighting a comprehensive study aiming to mitigate the risks of debt bondage and associated exploitation. This work will encompass the entire UK, including the British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in economic modelling, labour rights, and agricultural consultancy services. With a budget of £134,900, the project aims to provide detailed cost analyses and potential implementation models for the Employer Pays Principle, enhancing economic and welfare outcomes for seasonal workers. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) that possess expertise in the horticulture sector, human rights, and fair recruitment practices are well-suited to benefit from engaging with this initiative and furthering their involvement in public procurement contracts.

## Notice

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f07bd9b-edbb-4b9b-a062-f45be784ed99 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 21 Nov 2024 |
| Submission deadline | 25 Oct 2024 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 21 Nov 2024 |
| Contract period | 21 Nov 2024 - 30 Apr 2025 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £134,900 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS |
| Locality | LONDON |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1P 3JR |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | ALMA ECONOMICS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

### Codes

- 73200000 - Research and development consultancy services

## Release History

- 21 Nov 2024 at 14:29 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f07bd9b-edbb-4b9b-a062-f45be784ed99

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5f07bd9b-edbb-4b9b-a062-f45be784ed99
  21st November 2024 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder
- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/a8e1865f-5c36-4908-b540-d3fde398ea19
  Order Form C26488 JAM_V081124 v4_4_S2G_Redacted

## Provenance

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