Employers urged to watch Modern Slavery film

The makers of a new film aimed at showing businesses what they should do if they suspect modern slavery has infiltrated their workplace, are urging employers to screen it to staff. 

The seven minute film focuses on three men, who appear despondent and afraid, being dropped off for work at an unnamed company. Their demeanour arouses the suspicions of an HR colleague who is seen raising her concerns with a manager. 

What happens next, as the film replays the opening scenes three times, then demonstrates the consequences of employers who do nothing, do the wrong thing or ultimately, do the right thing. 

It has been made by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), the UK’s anti-slavery police who investigate labour exploitation across the country. 

GLAA Director of Strategy, Darryl Dixon, said: “Our role is to work in partnership to protect vulnerable and exploited workers and this film is a prime example of our desire to work with employers to help identify the signs of labour exploitation and then, more importantly, show them the right way to deal with it. 

“All businesses, whether they are large multi-national companies or small family-run firms, have a responsibility and a duty of care to their workers to ensure they are being treated fairly. 

“The GLAA is supportive of legitimate business; our targets are the unscrupulous people behind the illegitimate practices that enslave and exploit so many thousands of people.” 

The film was made with financial support from Stronger Together – a multi-agency initiative aimed at reducing modern slavery. 

David Camp is Programme Lead for Stronger Together and also Chief Executive of the Association of Labour Providers (ALP). He said: “I would urge all employers to view this film, it is vital that they take the right action when it comes to dealing with modern slavery.” 

ENDS 

Note to editors:

• The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) is the foremost investigative agency for labour exploitation in the UK. Its mission is to prevent, detect and investigate worker exploitation across the entire economy. Find out more at www.gla.gov.uk
  
  
• The film – Do the Right Thing – and accompanying training materials are available to view and download from the GLAA’s website  http://www.gla.gov.uk/publications/resources/glaa-videos/glaa-modern-day-slavery/

• Interview opportunities are available. For details email communications@gla.gsi.gov.uk or call Paul Coffey at the GLAA Communications and Engagement team on 0115 959 7034 or 07825 797130
  
  

Stronger Together is a business-led multi-stakeholder initiative aiming to reduce modern slavery by providing guidance, training, resources and a network for employers, labour providers, workers and their representatives. Find out more at www.stronger2gether.org