BBC England recently revealed the shocking story of 16 victims of modern slavery and human trafficking.
The individuals were trafficked by a gang into the UK and forced to work in a branch of McDonald's and a factory supplying bread products to Asda, Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
The victims - who were all vulnerable, most having experienced homelessness or addiction - earned the legal minimum wage, but nearly all of their pay was stolen by the gang. They lived on a few pounds a day in cramped accommodation but their work was funding luxury cars, gold jewellery and a property in the Czech Republic for the gang.
Many red flags were missed:
- Victims’ wages were paid into bank accounts in other people’s names
- Victims were unable to speak English, and job applications were completed by a gang member
- Victims worked extreme hours at the McDonald’s - up to 70 to 100 a week
- Multiple employees had the same registered address. Nine victims lived in the same terraced home
BBC England's 30 minute documentary provides an excellent introduction into how modern slavery can flourish in plain sight. Dame Sara Thornton (a former Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner) and Baroness Theresa May are interviewed as part of the programme. It is a must watch on BBC iPlayer
