Labour exploitation most reported in the UK for over ten years - Institute calls on recruitment, HR, and hiring leaders to do more to prevent abuse

The Better Hiring Institute (BHI), in collaboration with the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), Reed Screening, the Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement (DLME), Parliamentarians, and industry leaders, have produced the follow-up landmark guidance on How HR Can Stop the Worker Exploitation Crisis.

Labour abuse and worker exploitation are on the increase. Over the last 4 years, JobsAware has reported a 41% rise in reports year on year and according to national figures, labour exploitation is the most commonly reported exploitation in the UK, yet it rarely occupies the headlines. Seemingly a bigger challenge than more well-known worker rights issues, the UK has failed to develop meaningful strategies to prevent this abuse. Traditional strategies and structures have not been able to tackle the rise in worker exploitation. A new approach is needed. This report by the Better Hiring Institute and partners has, for the first time, analysed the key enablers of labour abuse and identified ways we can all work together to disrupt them.

Elysia McCaffrey, CEO, Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority said: “The Modern Slavery Act is 10 years old, and in that time reports and cases of modern slavery have increased. The issue of labour exploitation is here in our society, many consider it a thing that happens somewhere else to someone else, but it is a clear and significant issue within our labour market. Whilst we must drive economic growth, we must do this at the same time as tackling insecure work, giving working people their voices back, and modernising the world 
of work. Unsafe hiring processes such as fake or misleading job adverts, non-compliant recruitment agencies and supply chains, and immigration abuse fuel worker exploitation and modern slavery. I support the work of the BHI and the APPG to tackle the enablers of worker exploitation and help to turn the tide on this epidemic.”

Keith Rosser, Chair of the Better Hiring Institute and Director of Reed Screening said: “For the first time this guide explains the practical steps business, HR, and government can take to make drastic inroads into the level and scale of labour exploitation. Where others have failed to protect workers adequately, it is time to tackle the key, practical issues that are driving and maintaining labour abuse. I look forward to seeing the progress that together we can make to tackle a huge problem affecting the UK, its citizens and its workforce. The Better Hiring Institute is on a mission to make UK hiring faster, fairer, and safer - the last point 
speaks directly to how we tackle worker exploitation in the future.”

Margaret Beels, Director, Office of the Director of Labour Market Enforcement said: “Enforcement of the legal rights of workers is important, but it has always been clear to me that good businesses and their trade associations have a key role in preventing exploitation of workers, promoting high standards and being part of the front line in detecting where standards are not being met. Working in partnership has been a theme of my labour market enforcement strategies, the most recent of which was published in July. The three enforcement bodies within my remit – the HMRC National Minimum Wage team, the Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority all want to work with compliant businesses to prevent labour exploitation. Partnership with the Better Hiring Institute is important to them and the work of the APPG with its focus on finding solutions is so valuable. This practical report gives insight into how HR Can Stop the Worker Exploitation Crisis and I commend it to you.”

Corinne Peart, Client Relationship Director, Reed Screening said: “Our commitment to safe hiring goes far beyond background checks. We are dedicated to creating safer workplaces and protecting every individual in the hiring process. This approach ensures that safeguarding is at the heart of our business, helping to prevent exploitation and uphold the highest standards of worker protection. I look forward to seeing the progress that we can make together to tackle a huge problem affecting the UK, its citizens and its workforce."

The BHI mission is to make UK hiring faster, fairer, and safer, and it exists to transform the labour market by bringing in a revolution in the way the UK hires staff. Working with the UK Government the BHI has developed best practice guidance to support employers, and the How HR Can Stop the Worker Exploitation Crisis guidance is part of the UK National Hiring Framework. The Better Hiring Charter has been designed to help people back into work and is supported by many UK employers. In addition, the BHI operates the Modernising Employment All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) in Parliament which is Chaired by Lee Barron MP. This work exists to make UK hiring the fastest globally, the fairest in the world, and the safest it can be. 

Those responsible for recruitment within organisations are being urged to download, implement and share the guidance within the hiring community: Access the How HR Can Stop the Worker Exploitation Crisis guidance using the following link: How HR Can Stop the Worker Exploitation Crisis - Campaigns - Better Hiring Institute. If you would like to join the BHI and shape the future of hiring in the sector, visit their website.

Notes to editors.

For more information email secretariat@betterhiringinstitute.co.uk