A recent raid which freed 70 employees thought to have been working in highly exploitative conditions in a frozen food factory in Birmingham highlights a major, ongoing problem in the food industry.
Regrettably, the food sector continues to harbour workers who are paid illegally low wages, or obliged to work in unsafe conditions. In a recent case, 70 employees suspected of being abused for slave labour at Star Frozen Foods factory near Birmingham were taken to safety by police. The employees were thought to be of Pakistani-British, Lithuanian
and Latvian origin, and were thought to be working in sub-standard conditions and paid well below the minimum wage.
Exploited food workers are offered some protection by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, and by the Modern Slavery Act. West Midlands Police, who carried out the raid on Star Frozen Foods, have arrested more than 40 people on suspicion of slavery offences in the past 12 months. Read more about this story here.
The Sustain alliance campaigns for greener, healthier and fairer food systems. Find out more about our activities and support us here.
Published Thursday 25 May 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
