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[26 February 2007] - As the UK marks the 200th anniversary of legislation for the abolition of the slave trade, a new report shows how modern forms of slavery occur in the UK. Written by leading experts in the field, this report is the first comprehensive review of evidence about the extent of slavery in the UK today. Contemporary slavery in the UK, produced by a joint research team from the University of Hull and Anti-Slavery International for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), examines the nature of modern slavery and the conditions under which it occurs. It also contains detailed accounts of the circumstances being faced by those enslaved. The report shows that contemporary slavery in the UK exists in various forms, particularly as a result of trafficking. All forms share elements of the exploitative relationship which have historically constituted slavery: severe economic exploitation; the lack of a human rights framework; and one person’s control over another through the prospect or reality of violence. Slavery is defined and prohibited under international law. Coercion distinguishes slavery from poor working conditions. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who has worked with the authors to raise awareness of modern slavery, said: “I didn’t know about all these forms that existed...It is hidden. Generally people would not believe that it is possible under modern conditions.” UK enforcement agencies estimate there may be as many as 10,000 gangmasters operating across the various industrial sectors. Many operate legally but some do not. Many people trafficked into Britain and forced into slavery enter the country legally from countries in Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. They are then trafficked by agents into forced labour in such areas as agriculture, construction, cleaning and domestic work, food processing and packaging, care/nursing, hospitality and the restaurant trade, as well as into sexual exploitation. Some UK-based companies, knowingly or not, rely on people working in slavery to produce goods that they sell: complex sub-contracting and supply chains, managed by agents elsewhere, often obscure this involvement. The report claims that the UK has tended to address trafficking as an issue of migration control rather than one of human rights. Trafficked people are often subjected to forced labour through a mix of enforced debt, intimidation, the removal of documents and an inadequate understanding of their rights. Statutory agency personnel are often unsure how to assist trafficked migrant workers and keep few or no records as to their subsequent well-being. “Current protection and support services for trafficked men, women and children are inadequate and there is no specific assistance available to those who are trafficked for labour exploitation. A review of the position of most organisations active in this field suggests that formal adoption by the UK Government of the various treaties and conventions in place would be an important first step,” said Professor Gary Craig, report co-author and Associate Director of the Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE) at the University of Hull. “Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to slavery and exploitation. The promotion of regular migration is essential to tackling this problem in the UK, as is ensuring the protection of migrant workers’ rights. Our research indicates that the needs of victims seem to have been secondary to government policy; one interviewee commented that although the police see trafficked people as victims, the immigration service sees them as illegal entrants, ” added Aidan McQuade, report co-author and Director of Anti-Slavery International. Slavery in contemporary Britain cannot be seen in isolation. Most of those working as slaves in the UK have come from elsewhere, often legally. This makes slavery an international issue. Many relationships of enslavement trap people by withdrawing their passports or ID documents, making escape unlikely. Evidence shows that those who protest about the appalling working conditions may be beaten, abused, raped, deported or even killed. The report recommends national action complemented by international law and collaborative cooperation, with policy and service responses that regard those in slavery as victims first and foremost, rather than as criminals. It argues for a more robust stance against the exploiters and for proper resources for enforcement agencies. It concludes that training in awareness of how to identify slavery conditions for local service providers and a public awareness campaign are also needed. Further information
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/JRF_uk_slavery.pdf