Modern slavery moves into UK’s hospitality sector

Abuses evident for years in the UK care sector are now becoming apparent in the hospitality industry, according to a local charity running a modern slavery helpline. Lured by promises of a better life, migrant workers who come to the country on skilled worker visas are instead experiencing exploitation and abuse at the hands of their employers.

Promises vs. reality 

Takeaway and catering companies, bars and restaurants, as well as holiday accommodation like hotels, motels, campsites and holiday rentals. Those are the kinds of venues where the 485 potential victims of modern slavery who called the Unseen hotline over a 6-month period were working. And the charity said the reports have the same earmarks of abuse as those seen in the care sector over the last few years. 

Justine Carter, deputy chief executive at Unseen stated in The Independent: 

“There is a large disparity between what is promised to a worker and the reality once they arrive in the UK.”  

Further, Carter shared that Illegal fees are reportedly being charged in exchange for visas and certificates of sponsorship. And workers commonly report being forced to live on site or in accommodation provided by their employer. If workers speak up or push back at all, they are threatened with having their visas revoked or with being deported. 

Illegal fees + debt = exploitation 

Legally, employers in the UK are required to cover costs relating to recruitment. However, according to the charity, many employers are not holding up their legal obligation. Instead, they make migrant workers pay “exorbitant fees” for their visas and certificates of sponsorship.

Unseen said, 

“[the workers are] in a situation of debt bondage to their employer, paying off money owed incrementally through salary deductions” 

Shockingly, workers reported being illegally charged between $5,000 and $40,000 by their employers. The charges were often for what employers called “visa fees” with the average debt sitting around $25,000. That means they are saddled with debt right off the bat. Many are left with little money to pay for food and other survival needs. That in turn leaves them with little choice. Most succumb to pressure to work illegally long hours and without breaks or time off. And all just to pay off the debt. 

We’ve seen it all before… 

Sadly, these same modern slavery characteristics have been evident in the care sector since 2022. Shockingly, figures published earlier this year point to thousands of care workers having come to the UK under sponsors whose licenses were later revoked for abuse. Now adding hospitality workers to the exploitation basket, the scale of migrant workers exploitation becomes almost overwhelming.

Stand with us and demand the UK put an end to a hostile and ill-thought-out visa scheme that clearly perpetuates modern slavery and exploitation. Sign our petition and call for genuine anti-trafficking immigration policies.