Don’t fall victim to modern slavery

Did you know that some job adverts on Facebook are used to recruit Romanian workers - especially young men - who are then exploited for their labour in the UK?

They promise good jobs, accommodation and an attractive salary – sadly, the reality can be very different.

Click here or call free on 0800 555 111 any time to give information about labour exploitation, 100% anonymously - guaranteed
 
Romanian workers are at risk of being brought to the UK and then forced to work for little money, live in overcrowded and cramped conditions and often threatened with violence or intimidation if they fail to comply.
 
Those who exploit workers often have links to organised crime. They don’t care about your welfare, they are only interested in making money from abusing your labour.
 
Be very careful about accepting job offers that are advertised like this on Facebook or other social media platforms.
 
If you do choose to come and work in the UK, remember that your rights as a worker are protected by UK law. You are entitled to:

• be paid the National Minimum Wage
• rest breaks and time off work
• paid holiday
• an itemised payslip
• fair and legal deductions from your wages
• a safe working environment
• sick pay
• a copy of your terms and conditions

You can read more about your rights here.
 
This campaign has been sponsored by the GLAA, which is an agency set up to protect vulnerable workers from exploitation. 
 
The GLAA investigates reports of worker exploitation and illegal activity such as human trafficking, forced labour and illegal labour provision, as well as offences covered by UK labour laws.

It is a serious criminal offence in the UK to force someone to work or abuse their labour. The GLAA has helped convict exploiters and several have been sent to prison.

You can guard against being exploited for your labour by learning about your rights as a worker in the UK. You can also help others who are already being forced to work.

There are several ways you can spot the signs that someone is being exploited. Read more about them here.
  Click here or call free on 0800 555 111 any time to give information about labour exploitation, 100% anonymously - guaranteed
 

Look out for fake or bogus job adverts

Some fake job ads are designed to fool you into giving your personal and private details, including bank account details – these are then used for identity theft or online fraud.

• Be alert to receiving an email advertising a job you have not applied for.
• Be cautious of any job advert asking for little to no experience or qualifications.
• Be alert to job offers that barely match your experience or skillset.

 

Check a job advert

• Use a search engine to do background checks on the company.
• Search for the website or reviews of the company. Don’t rely on links provided in emails or on the ad.
• Don’t pay any fees for uniforms, training, equipment, police checks, or security checks until you are sure they are a legitimate company.
• Avoid calling a phone number for an interview, as it could be a premium rate phone fraud. The interviewer should call you.

Visit www.safer-jobs.com for general help and guidance on preventing employment fraud, reporting fake adverts, and to ask for help validating a job advert.
 

What to do if you suspect labour exploitation

• If you know the people behind this type of fake job ad you can talk to us, as an independent charity, 100% anonymously - your identity will never be revealed. If you are already in the UK, call free on 0800 555 111 or report details online here on our website.
• If you spot advertisements which seem too good to be true, contact the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) on 0800 432 0804 or visit www.gla.gov.uk/report-issues.
• If you think you may be a victim of Modern Slavery in the UK you can contact the charity Salvation Army by calling their 24-hour confidential helpline on 0300 038151.
• The UK Modern Slavery Helpline is available 24/7 to offer confidential, advice and support for any victim. Call free on 08000 121 700.