Construction was modern slavery hotspot during lockdown

Reports of suspected modern slavery cases in construction were higher than in any other industry during the lockdown period, the charity that runs a national helpline has said.

A total of 57 cases with 209 potential victims were recorded between 23 March and 23 September by the modern slavery helpline, a 24/7 service provided by charity Unseen.

Courtenay Forbes, a business account manager at Unseen, explained the shutdown of other industries put a spotlight on construction work that was potentially exploitative during the pandemic. “I think the reason it was maybe proportionally reported more to us in that period is because it stood out more. So as people were out on their daily walks or their trips to buy essential items, [they might take more notice] if they see construction going on at a property that they might have previously looked past. [Especially if] it was happening at the height of lockdown when no one was meant to be doing any non-essential work.”

Forbes said the majority of cases were on smaller residential projects, but suspected incidents were also recorded on big schemes. She added that greater public awareness of safety measures due to the COVID-19 rules meant callers were noticing suspicious behaviours that they may not have done previously.

“I think what struck callers and made them more likely to call us was [when they saw a] lack of appropriate [personal protective equipment] PPE and social distancing; suddenly these things were something everyone’s much more aware of than before.”

In one case study shared with Construction News by the charity, a caller reported witnessing alleged forced labour at an office block conversion project in a major city. The witness saw workers regularly carrying out tasks during the COVID-19 lockdown period without observing social distancing. They were not wearing high-visibility work clothes or the PPE expected on a construction site and all the vans were unmarked. There was no obvious welfare and workers were often seen eating on the street. On one occasion a teenager was spotted carrying wood out of the building wearing ordinary jogging bottoms while an older man watched from inside a van. The teenager avoided eye contact with the public and looked too young to be working on a site, the witness said.

The incidents recorded at the site were referred by the helpline to the Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority and local police, both of whom are conducting further enquiries. The Health and Safety Executive was also informed.

Forbes warned that the full effects of the coronavirus pandemic on labour exploitation and modern slavery are yet to become fully visible. She said those who found themselves in vulnerable situations as a result of the pandemic may be in the process of falling under the control of slavers.

“What I envision is that in the next year-to-18 months, we’re going to start seeing reports from people saying: ‘I lost my job during the pandemic, I struggled to keep up rent or maybe was made homeless, and now I've been forced into a [modern slavery] situation.’”