1. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
Working Together to Tackle Worker Exploitation

2. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
Leading organisations and industry bodies within UK food production, retail and horticulture have joined forces under an initiative entitled “Stronger Together” to tackle modern day slavery and other hidden migrant worker exploitation.

3. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
OBJECTIVE
To reduce forced labour, labour trafficking and other hidden third party labour exploitation
The objective of “Stronger Together” is to reduce forced labour, labour trafficking and other hidden third party labour exploitation

4. Why?…What’s the problem?
Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
Why?…What’s the problem?
45 million global victims of slavery – GSI
Second most profitable criminal industry to drugs
Human trafficking is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world
Up to 13,000 held in slavery in the UK

5. What Worker Exploitation?
Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
What Worker Exploitation?
Human Trafficking - the movement or recruitment of persons by means of threat, force or coercion for the purpose exploitation
Forced Labour – where a person is made to work against their will under the fear of a penalty
Rogue landlords – who house people in overcrowded and unsafe property often with threats of eviction or other intimidation
Work-Finding Fees – In the UK it is unlawful for workers to be required to pay to get a job.

6. Indicators of Forced Labour
Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
Indicators of Forced Labour
Threats of or actual physical or sexual violence;
Restriction of movement and confinement to the workplace or to a limited area;
Debt Bondage - where a worker works to pay off debt or loan, and is not paid for his or her services;
Withholding of wages - refusing to pay the worker at all or excessive wage reductions;
Retention of passports and identity documents;
Threat of reporting to the authorities.

7. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
Who is at risk and how?...
Mainly migrant workers – often with limited English language
May lack knowledge of rights or how to enforce them and accept situation as better than nothing
Kept in control by exploiting individuals or gangs
Controlled by actual or threats of violence / financial debt / withholding passports, ID, bank accounts

8. It’s all about the “MONEY”
Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
It’s all about the “MONEY”
Usually a crime coordinated by organised gangs, moving and exploiting numbers of people, often as part of wider criminal enterprises.
It’s a hidden crime and difficult to uncover - workers may not consider themselves as victims or want to report it
…but working together we can reduce this hidden exploitation

9. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
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10. What we are doing to tackle hidden labour exploitation
Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
What we are doing to tackle hidden labour exploitation
Distribute worker leaflets / Display posters
Building awareness by educating workers and supervisors
Implementing preventative and highlighting measures
Working together with trade unions / employee representatives
Implementing channels for workers to report exploitation

11. Tackling Hidden Worker Exploitation
What you can do...
Report
Forced Labour
Human trafficking
Rogue landlords
Work finding fees
In work…
Tell a trusted manager or worker representative
Leave a message or note
Please tell us!

12. What you can do…outside of work
If in immediate danger call the Police on 999
Non-emergency - call the local Police on 101
For personal help and support for victims of human trafficking call: The Salvation Army on or Migrant Help on
Report it to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority confidentially by calling
The Gangmasters Licensing Authority assists and protects vulnerable and exploited workers across the food industry.