WIREDGOV

The first study of its kind about Northern Ireland found evidence of poor working conditions, low pay, restricted freedom of movement, and verbal and physical abuse.

The study, Forced labour in Northern Ireland: Exploiting vulnerability, was carried out by a team at the Institute for Conflict Studies at Belfast University for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The areas studied included the fishing, mushroom and catering industries. It found a small number of migrants were working in modern-day slavery conditions.

Researchers found that exploited migrants were being taken advantage of by both Northern Irish employers and members of their own community. Exploitation was not specifically linked to nationality, age or gender, but associated with the vulnerability of the worker: a lack of English language skills, limited access to social networks, and a lack of local knowledge. In some cases the workers’ immigration status limited their options for escaping an exploitative working environment: some were forced into working without valid visas, while others simply swapped one exploitative employer for another.

Neil Jarman, lead researcher from the Institute for Conflict Studies, said: “We found that people would put up with working in very poor conditions and extreme levels of exploitation because it was better than the options available at home. Although only a small number of migrant workers are affected, it is vital that vulnerable workers are protected from exploitation by employers.”

The report recommends raising awareness and understanding of the issue of forced labour among trade unions, employers’ bodies and within key government departments in Northern Ireland, in order to develop a strategy to address the problem. Community-based support networks are important for exploited migrants and the availability of advice and information can also help reduce the levels of exploitation.

Case study

‘Valdis’ – a Latvian farm worker – was employed in a chicken factory from May to December 2008 and was registered under the Workers Registration Scheme.

In January 2009 he moved to a new job on a farm. He was aware that he had to re-register and he gave all his paperwork to a co-worker who spoke Russian and English and assured him that his registration would be taken care of. He never received a contract or payslips and was paid £70 per week and told that the remaining salary was being put in a bank account for him – however this did not happen. In October 2009 Valdis was involved in an accident involving chemicals. His employer dropped him off at the hospital and had no further contact with him. He lost his sight and had to remain in hospital for a lengthy period of time.

He has no money, as his supposed bank account did not exist, and no source of income. Valdis does not want to return to Latvia but has no choice as he does not have the ability to search for jobs or find employment with his disability and lack of English. His employer has not offered any support or help and his remaining salary is unaccounted for.