The UK is failing its modern slavery victims and urgently needs a new approach, says report
A leading think tank urges a new approach to the UK’s modern slavery strategy, recent research explores the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladeshi migrant workers, and a criminal case exposes the lucrative smuggling rings that operate on the Guatemala-Mexico border.
The UK’s system for tackling modern slavery is not fit for purpose and a new strategic approach is urgently needed, according to the country’s Modern Slavery Policy Unit. In its latest report, “A Path to Freedom and Justice: a new vision for supporting victims of modern slavery” it says that, in 2020, just 10 per cent of victims were identified and referred for support, while the criminal gangs that perpetrate these crimes continue to operate with impunity.
The approach of the new Nationality and Borders Bill, which incorporates modern slavery support with immigration reform, will further exacerbate a situation in which modern slavery survivors end up at the bottom of a “hierarchy of crime victims”, says the report; the Bill imposes a time limit on coming forward for victims within the immigration system, and creates barriers to support for victims with criminal convictions.
The Modern Slavery Policy Unit is a joint initiative led by anti-trafficking group Justice & Care and UK think tank the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), with a core mission to keep modern slavery at the top of the British political agenda. It aims to promote a better understanding of the nature and scale of modern slavery, and a more sophisticated and proportionate national response, by listening to frontline practitioners and survivors, and developing creative and evidence-based ideas. It advocates for greater investment, survivor-centered legislation, and better collaboration between law enforcement, policy makers and survivor support organizations.
The report explores the recovery journey of adult victims from first identification through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) to support provided under the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract, and seeks to identify key principles for reform and practical solutions to current challenges. Researchers interviewed representatives from specialist support organizations, female survivors, experts, lawyers and police officers. Some evidence was gathered using anonymous surveys, in order to gain further perspectives.
Among its major findings are that some victims are lost before they enter support systems, some face unacceptable delays while awaiting decisions, and many receive no meaningful support after being confirmed as a victim. Furthermore, vital intelligence and evidence is lost when victims disengage, hindering the ability of authorities to dismantle criminal networks.
To counteract these failings, new priorities should be implemented, including early engagement to build trusted relationships between victims and the authorities, needs-based support to protect victims from re-exploitation, efficient referrals and decision-making, and a bridging of the gap between the criminal justice system and support mechanisms to better safeguard and empower survivors.
The report also makes practical recommendations, including safe places to protect victims when they are first identified, long-term pathways to recovery and access to mainstream services, and a focus on reducing vulnerabilities and preparation for independence. The police should make modern slavery a strategic priority and the Home Office should ensure that units tackling modern slavery and organized crime have sufficient resources, while the Nationality and Borders Bill should be amended to provide confirmed victims with an additional year of support, including leave to remain in the UK and recourse to public funds for those with irregular immigration status.
According to the report, “It is time to reframe our response to victims of modern slavery and treat them as, first and foremost, victims of crime. This is for their benefit as they seek justice, and for the sake of relentlessly pursuing those committing these appalling crimes, who too often act with impunity.”
Here’s a round-up of other noteworthy news and initiatives:
New research by Ovibashi Karmi Unnayan Program (OKUP) explores the experiences of Bangladeshi migrant workers who have encountered insecurity and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It also looks at the risks of labour abuse, exploitation and modern slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking, and outlines barriers that obstruct Bangladeshi migrant workers from accessing their employment rights and social protection measures.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is to develop its first focused trade strategy to combat forced labour, it has announced, including the creation of an inclusive process that maximizes input from stakeholders such as labour organizations, civil society, survivors and the private sector.
A new report, “Paper Promises? Evaluating the early impact of Australia’s Modern Slavery Act”, examines statements submitted to the Government’s Modern Slavery Register by 102 companies which source from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia.
The Indonesian government has said that no deal has been reached with Malaysia on a five-year negotiation to renew an agreement on the placement and protection of Indonesian domestic workers, despite continued signals from Kuala Lumpur that the two neighbors are close to finalizing the deal. Frequent cases of Indonesian workers being abused in Malaysia have resulted in diplomatic tensions and, since 2017, Indonesia has insisted that destination countries must have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia to ensure the protection of workers’ rights.
Equidem’s new report documents six months of one-to-one confidential interviews that call upon states and businesses represented at Expo 2020 Dubai to conduct independent labour assessments on their sites at the megaproject.
A former Guatemala mayor and his family have been accused of smuggling more than a dozen migrants who were later massacred in Mexico, in a case that exposes the sophistication of human smugglers on the border between the two countries, and the lucrative business in which they are engaged.
On 15-17 February 2022, the METIP Annual Conference will take place, bringing together professionals from across the anti-trafficking community, including experts with lived experiences of human trafficking victimization, to reflect on current gaps and identify promising approaches to embedding marginalized voices into monitoring, evaluation and research.
AusCam Freedom Project is seeking a Partnership Coordinator to join its Development Team in Australia as a volunteer, for around four to six hours per week, to support its work on child protection, girl empowerment and human rights causes.
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