A sector-wide shift
Following Brexit and the covid-19 lockdowns, the hotel sector experienced a significant demographic shift, with many EU workers leaving and being replaced predominantly by non-EU migrant workers. Recent data from Unseen’s Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline indicates exploitation within the hospitality sector.
Between the first three months of 2024 and the first three months of 2025, the Helpline identified over 500 people working in hospitality who may have been victims of modern slavery. Most were aged between 20 and 29, with the most commonly disclosed nationalities being Indian, Bangladeshi, and Chinese.
Built in risk
Hotels rely on large, often unseen workforces to carry out roles such as housekeeping, kitchen work, valet services, and security. While some staff are directly employed, outsourcing many of these roles has become common practice across the industry. At the same time, rising costs and declining custom have placed significant pressure on hospitality businesses, leading to greater reliance on agencies and the widespread use of zero-hour contracts.
This has created tiers of employment, where those classed as ‘employees’ (those who are directly hired by the hotel on fixed-hour contracts) have greater rights and protections than those considered ‘workers’ (agency or zero-hour contract workers).
In larger hotels, clearly defined roles and extensive outsourcing can increase the risk of unknowingly procuring exploitative labour through agencies. Smaller hotels, by contrast, may recruit staff directly, sometimes placing individuals in multiple roles, which can also heighten vulnerability to exploitation. Seasonal demand and high staff turnover further encourage shortcuts in recruitment and oversight.
The physical design and location of hotels can also allow exploitation to remain hidden.
Large hotels often have complex layouts and back-of-house spaces that are rarely seen by guests, while many hotels are located near transport hubs or in remote areas.
Combined with a transient guest population that is unlikely to raise concerns locally, these factors can enable exploitation to occur in plain sight.
How exploitation happens
The Helpline identified recurring experiences of underpayment, excessive working hours, and unsafe or tied accommodation (housing provided by the employer that the employee is required to live in), alongside financial control, threats linked to visas, strict monitoring, and, in some cases, physical or emotional abuse. A growing number of cases involve workers on skilled worker visas.
While individual experiences vary, three common patterns are seen across the UK hotel sector:
- Some workers are recruited overseas for skilled or managerial roles and charged large “service fees” to secure a job and visa, leaving them in significant debt on arrival. They may then be forced into lower-paid roles, have wages withheld to “repay” the debt, or be threatened with visa cancellation if they raise concerns.
- Others are required to live in employer-controlled accommodation that is overcrowded, unsafe, or overpriced, with restrictions placed on their movement or social contact, making it difficult to leave.
- In many cases, workers are paid well below the legal minimum, face unexplained wage deductions, are forced to return part of their pay in cash, and are expected to work long or consecutive shifts, with threats or intimidation used to enforce compliance.
Bath: a starting point
Bath is a well-known heritage site and affluent area that attracts around six million visitors every year.
The accommodation and food sector, in which the hotel industry lies, was the fourth largest employment industry and has seen continual rapid growth since the covid-19 lockdown was lifted. In 2025, 144 hotels were registered and operating in Bath.
Bath’s strong tourist industry means the hotel sector is well established, with a regular demand for workers to fill vacancies. There is a common perception that modern slavery is unlikely to occur in places like Bath, which is often seen as affluent and picturesque. This assumption can allow exploitation to go unnoticed.
Unseen’s research into the Bath community found that the risk of exploitation within hotels was not widely recognised.
Together, these factors suggested Bath as a strong starting point for engaging hard-to-reach communities affected by exploitation. Working to build connections within the Bath community has also helped the team at Unseen develop a clearer understanding of how to approach and support future communities.
Nationwide issue
Although the project has focused on the Bath hotel community, the risk of exploitation in this sector exists nationwide. The learning from this work can be applied in other areas, with the understanding that community demographics and local contexts will vary.
How you can provide support
Our accessible, awareness raising materials are designed to help connect potential victims with the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline.
If you are based in Bath and would like to support this work, or if you have identified a similar situation in your area and believe these materials could help reach another community, please contact us at [email protected] to discuss options.
Learn more about this National Lottery funded project.
download Unseen's physical materials
The Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline is a free, independent, and confidential service staffed by trained advisers.
If you or someone you know is experiencing exploitation, please call the Helpline on 08000 121 700 or use our webform.
