Modern slavery is a global problem and international crime, affecting millions of people worldwide, including many victims within the UK.

Men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds are victims of human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude or debt bondage.

There are many ways that people can be exploited, forced to work for little or no pay. Types of exploitation include:

• Labour exploitation
• Sexual exploitation
• Domestic servitude
• Organ harvesting
• Criminal exploitation

Victims are controlled by force, threats, coercion, abduction, fraud and deception.

Modern slavery is a serious violation of human rights

Watch our video below on how traffickers operate to exploit victims

What we do to fight it

Our role is to protect vulnerable and exploited workers. We work with partner organisations such as the police, the National Crime Agency and other government law enforcement agencies to target, dismantle and disrupt serious and organised crime.

The GLAA licensing scheme regulates businesses who supply labour to the agriculture, shellfish gathering and food processing and packaging sectors. Our licensing standards cover health and safety, pay, transport and accommodation. We check that tax, National Insurance and VAT regulations are met.

Through the intelligence we receive from the public, industry, our inspections and other government departments, we investigate reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity.