Modern Slavery
Contents
What is modern slavery?
There are several types of modern slavery, these include:
- Human trafficking
- Forced Labour
- Bonded labour or debt
- Child Exploitation
- Forced and early marriage
- Criminal exploitation
- Domestic Servitude
- Sexual Exploitation
- Descent-based slavery
Signs of Modern Slavery
In the UK most employers are regulated by employment laws. This includes minimum wage, working hours, entitlements to annual leave. If you are working in conditions that do not meet standard UK employment laws, it is important that you report these conditions, if you feel able to.
One first responder has highlighted possible signs of modern slavery and exploitation on their website.
In the UK most employers are regulated by employment laws. This includes minimum wage, working hours, entitlements to annual leave. If you are working in conditions that do not meet standard UK employment laws, it is important that you report these conditions, if you feel able to.
One first responder has highlighted possible signs of modern slavery and exploitation on their website.
Common Signs Include:
- ID documents seized
- Unable to leave your place of employment
- Threats of violence or harassment towards you or your family
The UK Government guidance highlights that it is not to an individual person to identify themselves as a victim of Modern Slavery. It is important that if you feel unsafe or that you are being taken advantage of as a person who is working, that you speak to someone as soon as possible. If you are working in unsafe conditions, with immediate danger contact 999.
What to do if you think you’re a victim of Modern Slavery
If you think you are a victim of modern slavery and you are in danger, contact 999.
If you think you or someone you know may be a victim of modern slavery and you are unsure, you can contact the Salvation Army’s Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 808 3733. The phone number is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is completely confidential.
Support Available
If you think you have been a victim of Modern Slavery there are a range of support services available.
To enter the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) you must first have a referral completed by an agency listed on the list of the NRM First Responders. You must consent to the referral being made, if you are over 18 years old. If that referral has been completed and accepted, you may be given a positive reasonable ground decision if the competent authority believe that you have ‘reasonable grounds’ to believe that you are a victim of modern slavery. If the Single Competent Authority respond to the referral with a negative reasonable ground’s decision, you will have to seek legal advice to carry out a judicial review.
If you need specific legal advice relating to a modern slavery case, ALTUE are a specialist provider that provide legal advice and support to survivors of trafficking and slavery.
If you are looking for other types of support from other organisations in the North West you can do so on our Local Service Page.
The National Referral Mechanism
The National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is the system the identifies people as victims of both modern slavery and human trafficking in the UK. The NRM is the system that is used identify individuals, but NRM itself is made up of two bodies called the competent authorities. The competent authorities make the decisions relating to a NRM claim. This includes your reasonable grounds decision and conclusive grounds decision.
The National Referral Mechanism can provide support during what is known as a ‘rest and recovery’ period during the time the competent authorities make a conclusive grounds decision on your NRM claim. The Salvation Army provide this support during a persons time in the NRM. The Salvation Army may contract this work to other providers so the support may be offered from a different organisation.
Further Resources
- Migrants Organise have produced a guide on the NRM.
- The Right to Remain Toolkit has also provided an overview of the NRM.
- Programme Challenger, based in Greater Manchester have produced translated guides on Modern Slavery for those looking to raise awareness of the issue.