According to Service not servitude: modern slavery in the hospitality sector, 485 potential victims were indicated in food and drink establishments, and 85 in holiday accommodation over the above period.
Survivors were often burdened with debts averaging £18,000 from illegal visa fees. The most common methods of control included financial coercion, tied accommodation and emotional abuse.
Skilled worker visas linked to exploitation
Unseen says the findings point to a growing problem linked to skilled worker visas. Reports of potential victims in the hospitality sector on these visas rose by 7,400% between 2023 and 2024 (from one to 75*).
Indian nationals made up the largest group of those affected, representing 40% of potential victims where nationality was known. Bangladeshi and Chinese nationals followed. Most victims were Asian men in their 20s.
Justine Carter, Deputy CEO at Unseen, said the sector is showing “the same characteristics” of exploitation first seen in the UK care sector in 2022.
She said: “There is a large disparity between what is promised to workers and the reality once they arrive in the UK. Many are charged illegal fees, forced into substandard housing, and threatened with deportation if they speak up.”
Carter warned the situation could worsen, with job cuts and financial pressures in hospitality increasing the risk of exploitation.
“To cut costs, some organisations may resort to exploiting migrant workers,” she added. “These are egregious crimes we can’t allow in a modern UK society.”
Labour abuse on the rise in hospitality
Alongside slavery cases, the Helpline recorded a sharp rise in labour abuse in hospitality, with potential victims increasing by 60% between 2023 and 2024. The main issues were underpayment of wages, excessive hours, and workplace harassment.
Chetan's story**
Chetan came to the UK on a skilled worker visa for a role in a restaurant. On arrival, his employer told him he owed £5,000 for ‘visa costs’ and deductions would be made from his salary to repay the debt over time.
Chetan’s employer kept half of his salary each month leaving him with little to live on. When the employer had claimed £5,000 in free labour from Chetan, he then increased the debt by another £10,000. His employer threatened to cancel his visa if he did not comply.
Garima's story **
Garima found an advertisement for a catering job on social media and came to the UK on a skilled worker visa. When she arrived, she found that she was expected to work up to 23 hours a week more than her contract stated. She only received payment once.
In order to isolate her, Garima’s employer housed her in a flat on the work premises and threatened her if she tried to socialise with people. She experienced frequent verbal abuse from her employer and received threats of physical violence or visa revocation if she raised concerns about her treatment.
*Based on disclosed information. The true figure of potential victims on skilled worker visas in hospitality is likely to be higher.
**Some details changed to protect identity.
Our recommendations
Our recommendations for tackling modern slavery in the hospitality section are outlined below:
- Adequate information about visa costs and worker rights in the UK must be provided to individuals prior to application for skilled worker visas in their native language, to enable them to identify when someone is trying to exploit them. This should include information on how to report concerns and how to change sponsors.
- Accountability and compliance requirements for employers with sponsorship licenses must increase, including periodic premises checks and worker interviews away from the business premises.
- Culpability for exploiting migrant workers should sit with the individuals responsible rather than just the business to act as a deterrent and prevent exploiters starting new businesses in name only and continuing to exploit people.
- Significant fines should be sanctioned on businesses who exploit sponsored workers to act as a deterrent and illegal visa fees reimbursed to exploited migrant workers.
- Criminal charges and prosecutions under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 should be sought in relation to individuals operating businesses that exploit migrant workers on skilled worker visas.
How can you help?
Modern slavery has no place in our communities – or our workplaces.
If you’re a hospitality business, our specialist business services and training can support you to identify, prevent and respond to modern slavery risks in your operations and supply chains: [email protected]
If you are a professional in the public sector or an NGO, get in touch about our CPD accredited in-person and online training. See email address above.
If you’re an academic or research professional, get in touch with our policy and research team to explore collaboration opportunities: [email protected]
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Need help and advice?
Anyone seeking advice can call the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700.