An environmental campaigner has established a recruitment firm aimed at addressing labour shortages in UK horticulture by supplying seasonal workers from climate-affected regions in South-East Asia. Naseem Talukdar, who also founded the charity Projects Against Plastic (PAP), launched Regency Ltd to meet the increasing demand for farm labour amid a nationwide shortage.
With many UK farms struggling to secure workers, hundreds of individuals from countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka have signed up through Regency. Talukdar believes this initiative benefits both the UK farming industry and the workers, who are able to earn a decent wage that can be reinvested in their families and communities back home.
Talukdar, a second-generation Bangladeshi and director for social responsibility at UK Curry Connect, highlighted the experience these workers bring to the agricultural sector. “The farming industry in the UK benefits from employees with an agriculture-rich background, while the workers can earn a good wage to reinvest in their family and community,” he explained.
Some of the Bangladeshi workers recruited by Regency have excelled in their roles, with several recently recognised among the top ten strawberry pickers at a farm in the South-West. This success has prompted the farm’s owners to increase their intake of Bangladeshi labourers by tenfold.
Reflecting on his own heritage, Talukdar noted how his family benefited from similar opportunities when they immigrated to the UK. His grandfather, who served in the British Navy during World War II, set a precedent for contributing positively to the economy. “I’ve seen how such opportunities can be beneficial all-round. I am indebted to those who came before me and would like to help others pursue a better life where possible,” he said.
The issue of climate displacement, which has affected millions globally, is a central concern for Talukdar. According to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), over 30 million people were displaced internally in 2022 due to weather-related disasters. Phil Cole, a senior lecturer at the University of the West of England, emphasised that the effects of climate change are already evident, with many people being forced from their homes.
Talukdar’s initiative aims to support these displaced individuals, offering them a pathway to work in the UK while highlighting the importance of ethical recruitment practices. Regency does not charge workers recruitment fees and is licensed by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). Talukdar has implemented an ethical charter to ensure workers’ rights are protected, stating, “We deal with workers directly and are committed to being fair and transparent.”
The firm has seen a 100% rate of workers returning home after their seasonal work is completed, fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between recruiters, farm owners, and workers.
Asadur Rahman, a father of three from Baniyachong in Bangladesh, shared how the seasonal work in the UK has transformed his life. “The seasonal work in the UK helps me to overcome the loss and is a far better rate of pay than I receive back home,” he said. “I’ve also been able to pay off school fees and hire a private tutor to improve my children’s quality of education.”
With this recruitment initiative, Talukdar aims to create lasting benefits for both the UK agricultural sector and the communities affected by climate change in South-East Asia.
