TACKLING MODERN SLAVERY Training for Managers and Supervisors

INTRODUCTION As a manager / supervisor, you are uniquely placed to identify and help stop this exploitation. This course will help you understand: What modern slavery is How this hidden labour exploitation occurs in businesses like ours today How you can protect the reputation of this business How to spot the signs of hidden labour exploitation What you can do personally to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation

WHAT IS MODERN SLAVERY? AND CARRIES UP TO A LIFE PRISON SENTENCE Modern slavery is: Human trafficking and forced prostitution Working as a domestic slave Forced to commit crime Being forced to work for little or no pay It is an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to hold someone in slavery or servitude or require them to perform forced labour…. AND CARRIES UP TO A LIFE PRISON SENTENCE

THE FACTS AND FIGURES The UK Home Office estimates that there may be up to 13,000 people being held in slavery in the UK. Some victims are being forced to work in businesses just like ours. Over 3,000 people, including nearly 1,000 children, were referred to British authorities as potential victims of slavery in 2015, a 40% increase on the previous year. Approximately 6% of forced labour occurs in factories.

FORCED LABOUR This is where victims are forced to work against their will under the menace of a penalty or to pay off debts that realistically they will never be able to. Exploiters target a range of industries such as recruitment agencies, factories, agriculture and construction. It can be any type of work that typically employs unskilled, migrant, seasonal or casual workers.

MOST AT RISK: MIGRANT WORKERS Victims from around 100 different countries have been rescued from being held in slavery in the UK. Individuals working illegally are at a heightened risk of exploitation but in most forced labour cases, victims are legally entitled to work in the UK and are often from Eastern European countries. In most cases, this will occur as follows: They are often approached by a fellow countryman Promised a ‘good’ job in the UK in return for a ‘work-finding’ fee ONLY to be exploited in the UK and forced to work for little or nothing

WHY MIGRANT WORKERS? Whilst anyone in a vulnerable situation can become a victim of forced labour, migrant workers are often targeted because they: May have limited English language skills and, therefore, limited work options Share a common language with their exploiters May expect to pay for work May be used to difficult living and working situations Are new to the UK and don’t know their rights or how to get help, and may be distrustful of authority

EVERYONE IS AT RISK! Although they are the most common cases, it is not just migrant workers who are at risk. British nationals can also be victims of this exploitation. Of the 3,000 reported last year, victims from the UK were the fifth highest country of origin behind Albania, Vietnam, Nigeria and Romania with just under 200 victims! Read Alberts story: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/lifestyle/modern-slavery-britain/11067807/vulnerable-forced-work-for-families-britain.html

UK ACTION The UK has implemented a Modern Slavery Strategy to combat offences such as forced labour. There is now: A Minister for Preventing Abuse and Exploitation An independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner A modern slavery website and 24 hour helpline An Action Plan to tackle slavery The Modern Slavery Act 2015 But we all must play our part to end modern slavery.

PLEASE WATCH THIS VIDEO

EXPLOITERS As the video has shown, exploiters such as gangs and other individuals: Bring people to the UK with promise of good jobs then exploit them as a lucrative and reusable resource Feed workers into legitimate labour providers and businesses They take their victims’ wages and use the victims’ identity to: Commit bank and benefit fraud Operate insurance scams Take out loans Run up debts

CONTROLLING THEIR VICTIMS Exploiters use a range of methods to control their victims. These include: Using threats or actual violence against them or their families Holding their passports and other ID documents Managing them into debt and depriving them of money by controlling their bank accounts Restricting their freedom and movement Threatening to report them to the authorities for crimes they have been forced to commit

THE CHALLENGES Forced labour is a hidden crime and difficult to uncover. Workers may not consider themselves as victims or want to report it, and businesses often don’t know what to look for or what to do when they uncover it. As a manager / supervisor, YOU play a key role in helping to protect workers and your business by spotting the signs of hidden labour exploitation and taking appropriate action.

SPOTTING THE SIGNS They may show signs of physical or psychological abuse and appear malnourished / dirty / frightened / withdrawn / confused They may have few or no personal effects including NO ID, NO money, NO wallet / bank card / jewellery and may have little or no food They may be reluctant to seek help and may avoid eye contact, appear frightened, be afraid to talk to strangers or the police, or reject help when offered.

ISOLATION AND CONTROL Exploited workers may: Seem under the control and influence of others, for example allowing others to speak on their behalf or constantly looking over their shoulder seeking consent from somebody else in the factory Have limited or no interaction with work colleagues Appear as if they want to work all hours of the day Rarely be allowed to travel on their own, e.g. a driver may drop them off and collect them from work either very early or late at night

WHITEMEADOW: TAKING ACTION Stronger Together resources available from HR to raise awareness Awareness training to all employees / workers Training to managers and supervisors Inclusion of training in the induction process Inclusion of modern slavery policy in the Company Handbook Modern slavery statement on the Company website Internal monitoring of employee details including bank details and personal addresses

YOU: TAKING ACTION By being continually vigilant and reporting your suspicions, you could prevent the exploitation of vulnerable individuals: At work, inform HR or a trusted senior manager Call the police either on 999 or 101 Call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 Call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111 Report it to the Gangmasters Licensing Authority on 0800 432 0804 or email intelligence@gla.gsi.gov.uk Victims are protected in the UK. If you have any suspicions at all, don’t leave it to someone else or turn a blind eye… REPORT IT!

PROTECTING VICTIMS Job applicants, workers and their families may be in real and serious danger from violent exploitative individuals or organised criminal gangs. The protection of ‘at risk’ individuals in paramount and must take precedence over all other considerations, so ensure that you: Maintain confidentiality in order to protect victims and to not alert the exploiters Don’t put yourself and others at risk and destroy evidence trail (seek advice from the GLA or police on how to progress) Record and retain all evidence which may be useful to a future official investigation

NOW… Please complete and return the test by 31st January 2017