Graffiti by Banksy in London. DeptfordJon/Flickr. (CC BY 2.0)
For 10 years the European Union has marked anti-trafficking day on 18 October; and the UK, for now at least, has followed suit. Over the past decade the UK has made some major advances in its response to human trafficking, including making forced labour a serious crime and establishing a system, albeit deeply flawed, for referring and supporting potential victims of exploitation. Yet, when it comes to preventing labour exploitation, the UK’s response has been left behind by the progress made in other countries.
The UK’s ratification of the Protocol to the Forced Labour Convention in 2016 was a game changer. The treaty offers a strong framework for preventing labour exploitation, including: widespread coverage of labour law; effective labour inspection; and protection for all workers regardless of their status.
