The people exploited for their labour across the UK are likely oblivious to the Modern Slavery Act that has made its way through Parliament over the past year. That this act seeks to be ‘world leading’ is meaningless to many who are being mistreated and see no way out of exploitation. Indeed, even the review of the UK’s support framework—its National Referral Mechanism (NRM)—will have limited value to the victims of severe exploitation in this country.
In ongoing research Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is conducting with partners in Romania and the Netherlands, we are speaking to trafficked persons, service providers and government agencies about identification and support in cases of trafficking for labour exploitation. The picture emerging shows a need for practical solutions, not benevolence.
People do not think of themselves as ‘slaves’, ‘trafficked persons’ or ‘victims,’ but they know how vulnerable they have been and often still are. Many victims of trafficking talk about a lack of options that led them to their trafficking situation, not a lack of awareness about their rights. We are finding that the point at which people decide to try and leave exploitative work to seek help is therefore not a moment of enlightenment and rarely occurs when they encounter government agencies. Instead people seek to bring an end to exploitation because they can face no more, and a tipping point is reached. Tragically people will tolerate a great deal of abuse before arriving at this limit. It is no coincidence, perhaps, that society too normalises significant labour abuse before demanding action.
