Exposed: Secret report on modern slavery in the UK that the Home Office didn't want you to see

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British farmers have been accused of modern slavery following allegations of widespread exploitation of seasonal workers, which the Home Office attempted to prevent to make public.

An investigation by (TBIJ) and The Independent has uncovered evidence suggesting that workers who traveled thousands of miles to fill gaps in the hand Farm workers in the UK were publicly humiliated, not paid for all hours worked, and forced to live in substandard conditions.

The Home Office has gathered evidence in secret reports in 2021 and 2022, which he tried to prevent from being made public and which were only released after a five-month battle.

The alleged mistreatment of migrants on seasonal worker visas is so egregious that the government could be failing in its obligations to prevent modern slavery, it has been claimed.

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The investigation found:

Ukrainian woman working as a fruit picker hired by government-registered recruiter claims she was left 'hungry' after being confined to her caravan without access medical assistance or food for 11 days when she caught Covid. -19Worker says co-worker pulled tooth after being denied dental care by farm. A Moldovan worker was reportedly only allowed a 15-minute break and could not go to the bathroom, drink water or eat until he reached his goals.

These stories emerged after the TBIJ obtained 19 inspection reports produced by the Interior Ministry on farms that employ people on seasonal worker visas. The documents, released after a successful TBIJ appeal, summarize the interviews and findings of inspectors who visited the sites. The names of the farms have been redacted by the Interior Ministry for commercial reasons.

A senior Conservative who sits on the all-party parliamentary group on modern slavery and trafficking said the findings showed modern slavery was “everywhere” and the Home Office needed to take action. measures when abuse was identified.

'Every day, they are...

Exposed: Secret report on modern slavery in the UK that the Home Office didn't want you to see
IndyEatReceive the free Morning Headlines email for news from our journalists from around the world Sign up for our free Morning Headlines emailPlease enter a valid email addressPlease enter a valid email addressI would like to receive offers, events and updates from The Independent by email. Read our privacy notice{{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later.{{ /verifyErrors }>

British farmers have been accused of modern slavery following allegations of widespread exploitation of seasonal workers, which the Home Office attempted to prevent to make public.

An investigation by (TBIJ) and The Independent has uncovered evidence suggesting that workers who traveled thousands of miles to fill gaps in the hand Farm workers in the UK were publicly humiliated, not paid for all hours worked, and forced to live in substandard conditions.

The Home Office has gathered evidence in secret reports in 2021 and 2022, which he tried to prevent from being made public and which were only released after a five-month battle.

The alleged mistreatment of migrants on seasonal worker visas is so egregious that the government could be failing in its obligations to prevent modern slavery, it has been claimed.

p>

The investigation found:

Ukrainian woman working as a fruit picker hired by government-registered recruiter claims she was left 'hungry' after being confined to her caravan without access medical assistance or food for 11 days when she caught Covid. -19Worker says co-worker pulled tooth after being denied dental care by farm. A Moldovan worker was reportedly only allowed a 15-minute break and could not go to the bathroom, drink water or eat until he reached his goals.

These stories emerged after the TBIJ obtained 19 inspection reports produced by the Interior Ministry on farms that employ people on seasonal worker visas. The documents, released after a successful TBIJ appeal, summarize the interviews and findings of inspectors who visited the sites. The names of the farms have been redacted by the Interior Ministry for commercial reasons.

A senior Conservative who sits on the all-party parliamentary group on modern slavery and trafficking said the findings showed modern slavery was “everywhere” and the Home Office needed to take action. measures when abuse was identified.

'Every day, they are...

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