Many care workers from abroad are exploited; Most victims are silenced behind closed doors

Many care workers from overseas are being exploited to care for vulnerable people in our communities. UK Home Office data indicates that there are estimated to be at least 130,000 victims of slavery across the country. However, the true scale remains unknown, as most victims remain silent behind closed doors.

UK Home Office data suggests that the majority of exploited care workers are women from overseas, working long and grueling hours - often 20 hours each day. It says those most at risk are from India, Zimbabwe and Nigeria, often earning as little as £2 an hour.

This is due to the significant use of temporary employment contracts and employment conditions. Crimestoppers has launched an awareness of anti-slavery awareness campaign to highlight the potential exploitation and abuse of care sector workers across Greater Manchester.

Some of these exploited care workers have paid large sums of money to unscrupulous recruiters to come to the UK on special visas designed to fill vacancies in the care sector. In a recent incident in Greater Manchester, a female care worker was threatened by her sponsor, who told her to lie to the authorities claiming she was abusing care home residents if she failed to pay thousands of pounds for her visa.

Gary Murray, North West regional manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “You can work with someone, visit a care setting or an elderly day care center to see an elderly relative. We know that victims of exploitation and abuse live in fear of the people who trafficked or enslaved them. Many do not know their rights or how to raise concerns.

“Victims need people like us to speak up for them, so please be aware so you can spot the signs of exploitation and contact us 100% anonymously. You can make a huge difference in someone's life.

Detective Inspector Tim Berry, from Greater Manchester Police's Modern Slavery Team, said: "We are still working to understand the full extent of exploitation in the care sector in Greater Manchester. This type of exploitation targets the most vulnerable and we work with partners to ensure victims are protected and perpetrators are held accountable and prevented from causing further harm. It is vital that victims and the wider public report any suspicions they may have to help us build the intelligence picture and enable the authorities to intervene and support victims.

Crimestoppers offers a safe and secure way for people to pass on what they know about crime 100% anonymously and without speaking directly to the police. 

We guarantee complete anonymity to all who come forward with information. That means no police, no courts, no witness statements. In an emergency, always call 999. If it’s not an emergency and you’d prefer to stay anonymous, contact us online or on the phone by calling 0800 555 111, 100% anonymously - guaranteed.

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