Labour exploitation: a victim's story

Know Your Rights

Labour exploitation is a global problem and international crime, affecting millions of people worldwide, including many victims within the UK. Each year, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) identifies thousands of potential victims of exploitation and works in partnership with other agencies to:

• Prevent worker exploitation
• Protect vulnerable people
• Pursue those who exploit others for their work whether financially, physically and or through coercion and control

At the heart of what the GLAA does is to protect vulnerable and exploited workers through its investigations and partnership work. Victims are safeguarded and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives free from exploitation.

In this episode, journalist Andreea Salvage speaks to a Romanian man we are calling John. John came to the UK in 2014 and briefly worked at hand car wash in London before he was exploited.

John managed to escape from his exploiters and after going to the police was helped by the City Hearts charity.

You can read more about City Hearts and the crucial work it does here: https://cityhearts.global

Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation at hand car washes by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing [e-mail]. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours.

Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Download the Safe Car Wash app here: https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash

Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk

Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA

Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa

More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/