Exploitation is on the rise in the care sector

Forced Labour, modern slavery and labour exploitation are often crimes hidden in plain sight. On anti-slavery day 2024, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority is urging people to spot the signs.  

A person can be exploited in many ways, such as being forced to work with little or no pay right through to having been trafficked and forced to work in the belief they cannot leave the situation. Those who are exploited may be controlled by force, threats, coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, or a combination of these. People being exploited have one thing in common; they are being exploited for the personal or commercial gain of others.  

In quarter 1 of 2024 (April to June), 31% of all reports made to the GLAA were in relation to the UK adult social care sector (1). Within the care sector, exploitation reported to the GLAA is on the rise. There are an estimated 131,000 vacancies within the care sector, vacancies which are critical to fill if our nation’s most vulnerable are to receive the proper care they deserve.  

Many workers report being forced to work excessive hours with the threat that their sponsorship will be cancelled. Most are unaware of their rights as a worker and find themselves being forced to pay excessive fees to exploiters to secure work. These fees result in debt bondage.  

Those working under sponsorship in the UK care sector are also reporting not being properly paid, living in conditions that are unsuitable while being charged high fees for accommodation and in some cases being offered no work having paid, in some cases, up to £20,000 to exploiters.  
  
Anti-slavery charity Unseen saw a 606 per cent increase in the number of calls received by victims working in the care sector in 2022. The number of reports has continued to rise. 918 potential victims were identified in 140 cases through 2023, increases of 30% and 32% respectively. 

GLAA director of operations, Phil Cain KPM, said: “The exploitation of people working in the care sector is a widespread and barbaric issue. We are working hard with our enforcement partners to investigate allegations and stop worker exploitation. We work closely with our justice and care victim navigator to support workers who reach out and report these breaches.”  

Whilst it is illegal to charge a worker employment finding fees in the UK this is not the case in many other countries across the world.  

The GLAA is a body who regulates the recruitment of workers into the agriculture, horticulture, shellfish, and food processing industries. The licensing scheme ensures workers recruited into these sectors, from the UK or abroad, do not pay work finding fees and receive all their rights afforded through UK law such as the payment of minimum wage.  

The GLAA licensing scheme does not extend to the care sector, so agencies and sponsors are seizing opportunities to exploit other people for their own financial gain. Workers say they are scared to come forward because they are in fear of being deported, having their sponsorship cancelled and losing money because of the debt they accumulated to come to the UK.  

For those who do come forward, in many cases the complaint falls below the legal threshold for prosecution, leaving people under duress and in fear of being sent home with enormous debt.  

Phil Cain KPM added, "The GLAA is also working with our partners abroad, to try and educate people who are looking to come and work in the UK care sector, to make sure that they’re not being sold an expensive dream. We also try to ensure that people already working here are aware of their employment rights, so they can understand if they may be being exploited.  

“We’re working collaboratively with other UK agencies such as the CQC, National Minimum Wage and the police to investigate reports of modern slavery and exploitation, but there is a long way to go, and we’re keen to address this ongoing issue, especially on Anti-Slavery Day.”  

Elysia McCaffrey, chief executive officer at the GLAA said “Those who come to the UK are looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our society and it is saddening to see that this care is not being adequately reciprocated. Instead, people are being taken advantage of in plain sight, and you may not even be aware.   

“If you are visiting a loved one or your loved one is receiving care at home, there are ways you will be able to identify if your carer is being exploited. If you spot these signs, please contact us, or if you believe the person is in imminent danger, contact the police. A person living under these conditions cannot be expected to provide adequate care to vulnerable people if they are being exploited.”  

There are several signs you may notice that may indicate a person is being exploited or forced to work against their will. Here are some of the most common signs:  

•    Scavenging for food or eating leftovers  
•    Working excessively long hours with little or no breaks and rarely any days off  
•    Not socialising or having little interaction with others  
•    Not being dressed adequately for their role (e.g. no warm clothing or no PPE)  
•    Being in fear of the authorities  
•    Having injuries   
•    Showing signs that their movements are being controlled.  
•    Showing fear or anxiety    

If you know of a business operating outside the law, exploiting workers, gaining an unfair or illegal advantage, or you have any information, then you can call 0800 432 0804 or email us at contact@gla.gov.uk.

Notes

1. It is highly likely that not all these reports contained indicators of forced labour / labour abuse, and statistics are highly likely to be skewed by variables including duplication of information.