SLAVERY A MASSIVE PROBLEM IN UK: CHARITY

London, 28 Jumadil Akhir 1435/28 April 2014 (MINA) – A British charity has warned over the increasing number of people being used as modern slaves in the UK, describing it as a “massive” problem.

The charity group, Hope for Justice, said Sunday that forced labor, domestic servitude and sexual exploitation has turned into a major problem in Britain, according to Press TV report quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA).

According to official figures, over the last three years the UK police has investigated 336 “slavery” offenses, including 170 cases reported in London.

However, Allan Doherty, the charity’s head of operation, said the number is not a true representation of the problem, as most of the victims do not report the crime to authorities.

“The actual number of trafficking victims is probably 100 times that again, because at least 90% of victims probably never even come to the attention of authorities or charities such as ours because it’s such a hidden crime,” said Doherty.

Hope for Justice also said that one of the reasons for the low number of investigations was members of front line services, including police and social workers, have not had the skills to recognize the signs of trafficking.

The charity’s warning followed a recent report by Human Rights Watch, in which it said domestic migrant workers accompanying their employers in the UK are trapped in slave-like conditions.

The report accused the UK government of failing to live up to its obligations under international law to protect and do justice to migrant domestic workers if they are mistreated.

Under the UK Immigration Law, migrant domestic workers do not have the right to change their employers after they come to Britain, meaning that they must only work for their employer if the wish to stay in the UK.

The so-called “tied visa” traps the migrant worker, since if they choose to leave their employer, they will be considered illegal immigrants and will be subjected to further exploitation. .(T/P04/E01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)