Modern Slavery – Why you should care and what you should know

In today’s interconnected world, the pervasive issues of slavery and human trafficking persist as a dark stain on global society. It is imperative for us all to remain vigilant within our businesses and supply chains.

These crimes take various forms—ranging from forced labour and domestic servitude to sexual and criminal exploitation.

Shockingly, the International Labour Organization estimates:

• Over 49.6 million individuals worldwide are ensnared by these practices.
• 1 in 4 victims are children.
• 71% are women and girls.
• There has been an increase of nearly 10 million affected individuals in just five years.
• Modern Slavery has generated illicit profits exceeding £121 billion—surpassing the GDP of 130 countries.

Even closer to home, the United Kingdom grapples with the harsh reality of modern slavery with Anti-Slavery International suggesting:

• 100,000 plus individuals are trapped in slavery within the UK.
• in 2017 alone, authorities identified more than 5,000 victims. Furthermore, this figure highlights the growing scale of the issue over time. This lead to over 150 investigations launched by the Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority.
• The UK serves as a primary destination for trafficked workers. In particular, certain sectors—such as transport, fishing, and agriculture—are especially at risk. These industries often involve conditions that can increase vulnerability to exploitation. Wages can be as low as £2 per hour.

Recognizing the signs of potential exploitation is crucial in combating modern slavery.

Here are 5 indicators to remain vigilant:

1. Possession of Legal Documents: Are workers in control of their legal documents, passports, and IDs? If, for instance, someone else is providing these documents, this should raise a red flag. Moreover, it may indicate potential fraudulent or exploitative activity.
2. Medical Care: Is someone suffering from untreated injuries, avoiding seeking medical help?
3. Behavioural Signs: Does their behavior indicate withdrawal or fear? Is a third party speaking on their behalf, or are they hesitant to provide basic information?
4. Appearance: Do they seem unkempt with minimal personal possessions?
5. Fear of Authorities: Are they reluctant or afraid to report to official bodies?

As a funder to over 300 recruitment agencies dealing with temporary workers in multiple sectors, heightened vigilance is essential. Exploiters traffic workers into temporary roles. They may carry out this practice either individually or, alternatively, through organised ‘gangs’ that, in turn, operate under the guise of a single LTD company.

Vigilance in reporting

QUBA Solutions staff are trained to be vigilant and report any concerns to their line manager promptly. We actively encourage recruitment partners and connections to report potential cases of modern slavery through official channels:

As a funder supporting over 300 recruitment agencies that place temporary workers across multiple sectors, you must remain especially vigilant. Indeed, exploiters often traffic workers into temporary roles. They may, for instance, operate alone or, alternatively, form organised ‘gangs’ that disguise their activities under a single LTD company.

At QUBA Solutions, staff receive training to remain alert to such risks and, as a result, promptly report any concerns to their line manager. Additionally, we actively encourage our recruitment partners and wider network to report potential cases of modern slavery through official channels. By working together, we can help identify and prevent exploitation more effectively

modernslavery.co.uk or helpline: 0800 012 1700

In emergencies or serious threats, contact the police at 999.

For additional information and access to our Modern Slavery statement here. Together, we can make a difference in eradicating modern slavery from our communities.