In August 2024, it was reported that Ethero (part of Telpasc), a seasonal worker scheme operator recruiting migrant farmworkers to the UK, had its license suspended by the Government and was removed from the operator list. The operator had its licensed revoked because it failed to guarantee the minimum number of paid hours.

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) reported that Uzbek migrant workers recruited through Ethero were left in debt without jobs after the recruiter lost its license. Around 1,800 workers had been offered jobs but less than 400 were sent to work in the UK. Some workers were not informed of the loss of license until several weeks after it was revoked.

The Grocer later reported that the majority of workers sponsored by Ethero have now been moved to another scheme operator. However, some workers contacted The Grocer to say they still had not received information from either the Government or an alternative scheme operator.

Workers reported paying recruitment charges up to GBP 800 for visas, flights and other costs. The Uzbek government has offered to return GBP 100 to the workers, and the at least one worker has been told by the UK government they are entitled to a GBP 300 refund, although other workers said they had not been contacted regarding refunds.

Ethero declined to comment to TBIJ. It told The Grocer it strongly denied claims that it posed a threat to UK immigration rules. It said it was working fully within the contractual measures in place between it and the UK Government.