COVID and Brexit have increased the risk of slavery it’s time to fight back – Construction News

With the collapse of international travel throughout the pandemic, combined with the Brexit rhetoric of taking back control, it might seem counter-intuitive to suggest that recent events have left workers more vulnerable to exploitative practices but this is exactly what happened in 2020.

The COVID-19 crisis has hit the labour market hard, with huge numbers of workers worldwide expected to lose their livelihoods, which has resulted in the most vulnerable become susceptible to modern slavery. During the first lockdown, construction was responsible for more suspected modern slavery cases than any other industry.

Unseen UK, the UKs leading charity on modern slavery, revealed 57 cases with 209 potential victims had been reported to its national helpline up 12 per cent on the same period in 2019.

The Biffa case serves as a reminder that slavery can even occur in companies where all the correct policies and procedures appear to have been implemented

At the same time, Brexit has exacerbated the risk of exploitation, with confusion over the UKs new points-based immigration system and the status of EU nationals creating a backdrop ripe for misinformation and intimidation.

This lack of clarity creates an environment where even those who manage to escape trafficking withdraw from society as far as possible out of fear over their rights and the risk of being deported. This makes them ideal candidates for re-exploitation.

There is a serious misconception that Brexit and the implementation of new border controls will cut down the amount of trafficking. But leaving the EU meant surrendering real-time access to European security systems, leading to what Unseen UK has labelled a downgrading of our ability to intercept traffickers. And exploitation is not restricted to foreign workers. Between July to September 2020, UK nationals accounted for the largest proportion of victims (35 per cent).

We urgently need to fight the myth that modern slavery is something that happens in countries far away and unlike our own. The news that Biffa an established household name and founding member of the Slave Free Alliance is being sued by three victims of modern slavery should serve as a stark warning to us all and raises troubling questions regarding what is going on in other businesses, and particularly smaller firms, away from the public gaze.

While public sector employers are much more aware of the issues, imposing obligations on their supply chains under the Modern Slavery Act, it has been reported that exploited workers are more likely to be concentrated in smaller residential schemes.

The Biffa case highlights that this is not just an ethical conundrum for businesses, but an emerging commercial risk too. The action against Biffa should encourage companies to start taking the responsibility to prevent forced labour within its workforce more seriously, for fear of the reputational damage that could come from similar lawsuits.

Its vital that as an industry we continue to raise awareness of this issue and the steps businesses can take to protect their employees, those they contract, and also their own commercial interests. A thorough understanding of the construction supply chain is an important start, including taking time to impose regular checks on recruitment and payment practises. The Biffa case serves as a reminder that slavery can even occur in companies where all the correct policies and procedures appear to have been implemented, so identifying potential weak points is a crucial aspect of protecting vulnerable workers.

Communication with staff is also important. This can increase awareness of the signs of modern slavery and create a culture where people feel comfortable reporting malpractice, helping to tackle these issues head on.

While COVID-19 and Brexit may have heightened the potential for exploitation in construction, this does not detract from our responsibility as an industry and society not to turn a blind eye to economic migrants who support our economy. Only by staying alive to the risks and working together to raise awareness of the signs of modern slavery can the industry put a stop to the exploitative practices that have escalated during the last year.

Joanna Rees is a partner in the construction team at Blake Morgan LLP

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COVID and Brexit have increased the risk of slavery it's time to fight back - Construction News