Call for action on 'thriving hidden slavery' in Britain

Published on Monday 26 February 2007 00:18

SLAVERY is still thriving in the UK and the government must do more to protect those being exploited, according to a hard-hitting report released yesterday.

The "hidden" slavery, mainly propped up by people trafficked from Europe and further afield, is relied on by some UK companies who use goods produced by these modern slaves, it said.

Contemporary Slavery in the UK, produced by a joint research team from the University of Hull and Anti-Slavery International for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, coincides with the 200th anniversary of legislation abolishing slavery. It is believed to be the first comprehensive review of evidence about the extent of slavery in the UK today.

Aidan McQuade, co-author of the report and the director of Anti-Slavery International, said researchers found the

majority of slavery victims are migrant workers. These workers are vulnerable to exploitation via a mix of enforced debt, intimidation, the removal of documents and an inadequate understanding of their rights.