A national helpline for victims of modern slavery is reporting a steep rise in calls from overseas workers who came to the UK to help plug staffing gaps in the care sector.
Many said they had paid huge sums to the people who brought them over after visa rules changed last year.
Unseen UK said more than 700 care staff used its helpline in 2022, an increase of 606%. The charity's report,
A review of reports of exploitation in the care sector, found that throughout 2022 and into 2023, the helpline saw a significant rise in the number of cases indicating labour abuse and forced labour in the care sector, many involving foreign nationals.
'As the UK opens up new visa routes for employment to meet labour shortages the potential for exploitation increases,' it said. 'Many workers who come to the UK do not know their rights or how to raise a concern.'
As operators of the UK’s Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, Unseen receives information from a variety of sources related to all aspects and types of labour abuse and modern slavery.
In 2022 by far the most prevalent nationality indicated in situations of labour exploitation involving the care sector (where nationality was recorded) was Indian, comprising 48% of all potential victims indicated. These high numbers in the care sector resulted in a rise of 536% in the total number of Indian nationals indicated in modern slavery from 2021 to 2022. Also prevalent were potential victims from Zimbabwe (15%) and Nigeria (8%). In the case of 402 potential victims, the nationality was recorded as unknown.
When looking at both gender and nationality most nationalities indicated show female victims as the most prevalent, except for Nigeria, Pakistan and Zambia where the majority are male.
Labour abuse
As well as the high number of situations with indicators of modern slavery, the helpline receives many other reports of abuses of worker rights and poor treatment of staff in the care sector.
'Since January 2022 the number of cases and potential victims indicated have steadily increased month on month, indicating that this is a growing problem that will continue to escalate until systemic changes are implemented,' the charity said.
Nearly 50 million people are estimated to be living in modern slavery worldwide. Despite firmer legislation and increased awareness, human trafficking is expanding rapidly in industries such as construction and food manufacturing. This video from IOSH magazine explains the critical role health and safety professionals can play in combatting modern slavery.