The Indian High Commission in London on Friday appealed to students to contact the mission for help and counselling, amid concerns that more than 50 of those working in care homes in North Wales may be victims of modern slavery.
The Gangmasters and Labor Abuse Authority (GLAA), the UK government's intelligence and labor exploitation investigation agency, reported earlier this week that it had succeeded in obtaining a court order against five individuals for labor abuse.
In UK and international law, modern slavery is considered a serious crime where victims are exploited, controlled or held captive, threatened or punished to prevent them from escaping or reporting.
According to British police, modern slavery involves human trafficking, where victims can be exploited when they are transported between countries or around a country.
The GLAA said it had identified "more than 50 Indian students as potential victims of modern slavery and labor abuse over the past 14 months" in connection with the case.
We were concerned to read this news. Indian students who have suffered this, please contact us at pol3.london@mea.gov.in, and we will provide help/counselling. We assure you of confidentiality in our response.@VDoraiswami @MEAIndia @sujitjoyghosh https://t.co/Xgf39sRuYT
— India in the UK (@HCI_London) February 10, 2023
Five men suspected of recruiting and exploiting vulnerable Indian students working in care homes in North Wales - Matthew Isaacs (32), Jinu Cherian (30), Eldos Cherian (25), Eldos Kuriachan (25) and Jacob Liju (47) - Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STRO) were arrested under Sections.
These five men from Kerala were arrested by the GLAA between December 2021 and May 2022, and while investigations are ongoing, they have not been charged with any criminal charges at this stage.
They are said to have links to care homes across the region in Abergele, Pwllheli, Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, meaning they must have either worked there themselves or had a direct family connection to someone who worked in them.
The GLAA said Isaac and his wife Jinu Cheri were recruited through Alexa Care Solutions, a registered recruitment agency in May 2021.
Three months later, reports to the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline claimed that Indian workers employed by Alexa Care were not being paid correctly or their wages were being withheld.
At the same time, significant concerns were raised about the appearance of the workers and that they always looked hungry, the agency revealed.
"We all know that staffing levels in the care sector have been a cause for concern for some time and the Covid pandemic has not helped," GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Martin Plimmer said.
“Unfortunately, where labor shortages exist, opportunists are more likely to use the situation to their financial advantage, usually at the expense of the workers they exploit.
"Tackling the exploitation of workers in care homes is one of the GLAA's top priorities and this order is crucial in controlling the activities of those we suspect of committing slavery or trafficking offences," he said.
The STRO imposes strict conditions on defendants, including preventing them from arranging anyone's work, transport or travel, and allowing the GLAA access to their residence at any reasonable time to establish and confirm that the order exists. According to it, breaching the order is a criminal offence, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison.
"Through our investigations, we concluded that such an order would be proportionate to protect more workers who are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse," Plimmer added. The GLAA said it worked closely with Care Inspectorate Wales and other relevant local authorities during the investigation.
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