BBC investigation reveals that victims of modern slavery were forced to work for years at a McDonald’s and a pitta factory.
A gang forced sixteen people to work either at a McDonald’s branch in Caxton, Cambridgeshire or a pitta factory that has since been closed.
The investigation revealed that the signs of Modern Slavery were not noticed, such as four men’s wages being paid into a single bank account.
Six people from the Czech Republic who were part of a human trafficking ring have been found guilty in criminal proceedings. The pandemic slowed down criminal proceedings, but the exploitation was over in 2019.
BBC researchers found victims earning the minimum legal wage but their gangmasters stealing almost all of it. The victims also lived in a cramped, leaky accommodation.
Investigations revealed that multiple other signs had been missed. For example, a member of a gang who spoke English would fill out job applications and sit in interviews as a interpreter.
The court records revealed that the victims had worked long hours. One victim even worked a 30 hour shift. The records also revealed that several employees had the same registered addresses.
Former independent anti-slavery Commissioner Dame Sara Thonrton reviewed the findings of the investigation. She said, “It’s really concerning that so many red-flags were missed and perhaps the companies did not do enough to protect vulnerable workers.”
Pavel, one of the victims, stated that he felt “partially abused by McDonald’s, because they did not act”. He told the BBC that he thought McDonald’s would be “a bit more careful” and see the red flags.
McDonald’s released a statement saying that its franchisee in Caxton only “understood the full depth of these horrific crimes, which were complex and sophisticated” after he helped the police with their investigations.
McDonald’s has commissioned a 2023 independent review of modern slavery to detect and prevent potential risks, such as the ones identified in this case.
Speciality Flatbread, a bakery that supermarkets use, has said it did not detect slavery between 2012 and 2019.
According to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act of 2015, businesses with a revenue of PS36,000,000 or more are required to submit an annual statement on modern slavery and human slavery. This document outlines the steps they take to reduce the risk of slavery within their supply chains and operations.
The Labour Government has promised to clamp down on the exploitation of employees through a new combined enforcement body for employment, the Fair Work Agency.
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