Construction leaders unite to tackle modern slavery with new awareness film

Unseen has collaborated with 11 major construction firms and labour agencies to raise awareness of modern slavery on construction sites.

In partnership with Unseen, 11 major construction firms and labour agencies have come together to release a new short film that highlights the reality of labour exploitation on UK construction sites. 

The construction sector is one of the industries most affected by modern slavery, with the widespread use of subcontracted labour, high turnover of workers, and complex supply chains all increasing the risk of worker exploitation. 

Labour exploitation comprised 35% of all modern slavery cases and 58% of potential victims reported to the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline in 2023.  

New film highlights the struggles of labour exploitation victims 

To raise awareness and help combat this issue, Unseen, together with partners – Berkeley Group, Laing O’Rourke, Skanska, Morgan Sindall Group, Kier Group, Galliford Try, VGC Group, Danny Sullivan Group, Randstad, Hays and Carmichael – have produced a powerful short film. 

It vividly illustrates the everyday struggles faced by those in situations of labour exploitation and highlights the key signs that construction site teams need to watch out for. This includes excessive working hours, lack of contracts and excessive wage deductions. 

a worker experiencing labour exploitation in construction
A collective responsibility to end exploitation 

This collaborative initiative underscores the responsibility that businesses in the construction sector have to educate their entire supply chain and combat modern slavery. By raising awareness and promoting vigilance, we can significantly increase the chances of spotting and reporting exploitation at the site level.  

Andrew Wallis OBE, CEO of Unseen, said: “I am heartened to see major construction firms stepping up to provide resources and tools to combat modern slavery. This not only raises awareness but also empowers smaller companies at the site level where the impact is most profound. 

“Together, we are building a foundation for ethical practices that will ensure the safety and dignity of every worker in the industry.”  

The film will be used across the built environment sector as part of training programmes and site inductions, helping to enhance awareness and increase the chances of exploitative practices being identified and reported. 

worker sits in a cafe with text revealing modern slavery in construction
Join the movement to combat exploitation in construction 

Are you a construction worker or manager? Help us spread the word and take action by sharing this film with your teams, networks, and suppliers. Raising awareness is a crucial step in ensuring that more people can identify and report exploitation. 

Our expert business team provide bespoke support, resources, and training for companies looking to strengthen their response to modern slavery and worker exploitation. By working together, we can help you ensure the highest ethical standards are upheld across your workforce and supply chain.  

To learn more about how we can support your business, please contact us at [email protected] 

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Justine Currell

As I came to understand more about the issue, including through a visit to an Unseen safehouse, I knew I needed to do more to stop this abuse and exploitation.

For the last five years of my Civil Service career, I was the Modern Slavery Senior Policy Advisor in the Home Office and led on development of the Modern Slavery Act, including the transparency in supply chains provision and business guidance.

I joined Unseen to lead the development of the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and Unseen’s work with businesses. I am regularly called upon to present at national and international conferences and use my experience of working with Ministers to influence other governments internationally to take action to address modern slavery and, in particular, business supply chain issues.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, music, reading and travelling.

Andrew Wallis

What ultimately compelled me to act was a report on how people from Eastern Europe were being trafficked through Bristol airport to the USA. Kate Garbers, who went on to be an Unseen Director, and I wrote to all the city councillors, MPs and the Police Chief Constable challenging them on the issue. The challenge came back to us: this city needs safe housing for trafficked women. And so Unseen began.

But we never wanted Unseen to be just about safe housing. We wanted to end slavery once and for all, and that remains our driving focus.

I chaired the working group for the Centre for Social Justice’s landmark report “It Happens Here: Equipping the United Kingdom to Fight Modern Slavery”. This is now acknowledged as the catalyst behind the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It was a great honour to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that year. On the other hand, I’ve also been described as “the loveliest disrupter you could ever hope to meet”.

This job has taken me from building flat-pack furniture for safehouses, to working with businesses to address slavery in supply chains, to delivering training, raising awareness and advising governments around the world.

When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dog Harley, cooking, supporting Liverpool and Yorkshire CC, music (I’m a former DJ) and endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge and Tribe Freedom Runs – which I vow never to do again. Until the next time.