Utilising the experience of frontline practitioners, developing creative and evidence-based ideas, fostering a new understanding of the scale of the crime and listening to the voices of survivors, the Modern Slavery Policy Unit works to catalyse the political leadership needed to achieve systemic change. [...] The views and recommendations in this report are those of the Centre for Social Justice and Justice and Care and do not necessarily represent those of the persons and research participants mentioned above or quoted in the report. [...] If they don’t have the right qualifications, their work might be unsafe.” Victim Navigator, Justice and Care The rise in reports of exploitation of workers in adult social care raises particular concern given the vulnerability of those receiving care and the severity of the consequences if exploited workers are unable to provide the level of care needed. [...] In the largest modern slavery prosecution in the UK to date, Operation Fort, it is reported that the criminals made a profit of £2 million between 2012 and 2017.28 “In the Operation Fort case, the modern slavery was happening in West Bromwich - one of the most deprived areas of the country. [...] 32 At what cost? Exploring the impact of forced labour in the UK This manipulation of the need to work and the “hidden in plain sight” nature of forced labour in the regular economy may be one of the reasons that the majority of victims of this type of exploitation are not only adults but adults between the ages of 25 and 54.
- Pages
- 94
- Published in
- United Kingdom
Table of Contents
- Contents 3
- 1. Labour exploitation is a continuum 3
- 2. Forced or compulsory labour is happening in UK communities 3
- 3. Forced or compulsory labour happens in the regular economy 3
- 4. Exploiters take advantage of victims vulnerability and desire to work 3
- 5. Weaknesses in UK labour market and immigration system are being exploited 3
- 6. Responsible businesses are taking action but face many challenges 3
- 7. Remedy restoration and justice are needed for all victims 3
- 8. Conclusion and recommendations 3
- About the Modern Slavery Policy Unit 4
- Acknowledgements 4
- Glossary 5
- Foreword 6
- Executive Summary 7
- Our central findings are 7
- Conclusion 8
- 1. Labour exploitation is a continuum 10
- 1.1 When does labour exploitation become modern slavery 11
- 1.2 What if labour exploitation does not meet the threshold for modern slavery 12
- 2. Forced or compulsory labour is happening in UK communities 15
- 3. Forced or compulsory labour happens in the regular economy 17
- 3.1 Which are the most high-risk sectors for forced or compulsory labour 17
- 3.2 Criminal enterprise or legitimate business 21
- 3.3 Where are legitimate businesses at most risk of modern slavery 21
- 3.3.1 Third-party labour providers 22
- 3.3.2 Overseas recruitment 23
- 3.4 Integration of forced or compulsory labour in the economy presents risks for the whole community 24
- 3.4.1 People put at risk 24
- 3.4.2 Potential economic impact 26
- Methodology Opportunity cost based on main personal tax and pension contributions for forced or compulsory labour victims not being paid employees 27
- 3.5 Connection with other forms of exploitation 28
- 4. Exploiters take 30
- 4.1 Personal situations can make people more vulnerable 30
- 4.2 Vulnerable because of a desire and need to work 34
- 4.3 The harm of forced or compulsory labour 37
- 5. Weaknesses in UK 39
- 5.1 Large informal economy and low risk of labour market enforcement 39
- How many more labour inspectors are needed and how much would that cost 42
- 5.2 Failures of the immigration system to protect against exploitation 46
- 5.2.1 Seasonal Worker Scheme for agriculture 47
- 5.2.2 Adult social care 49
- 5.2.3 Limited penalties for sponsors who fail to comply 56
- 6. Responsible businesses are taking action but face many challenges 58
- 6.1 Limitations of audits 59
- 6.2 Criminals bypass businesses controls 59
- 6.3 Pressures on smaller businesses and suppliers 60
- 6.4 Collaboration and data-sharing in a competitive market 62
- 6.5 Reputational risks persist 63
- 6.6 Lack of a level playing field 64
- 7. Remedy restoration 67
- 7.1 Victims find it hard to report 67
- 7.1.1 Vulnerabilities create barriers to reporting 68
- 7.1.2 Systemic barriers to reporting 70
- 7.2 What do remedy and justice mean for victims 71
- 7.2.1 Remediation by businesses 71
- 7.2.2 Financial compensation 72
- 7.2.3 Support wellbeing and access to work 74
- 7.2.4 Risks of re-exploitation 78
- 7.3 Criminal investigations are few and challenging 79
- 8. Conclusion and 85
- Recommendation 11 88
- Appendix Research participants 92
