Staff ‘slaves paid in rice’

AN illegal worker at an Indian restaurant raided by police told them he was being paid in rice.

Three staff were found working in “appalling conditions” in March and begged officers to return them to Bangladesh.

The Balti Raj restaurant in Tiptree has since lost its licence. Stephen Sparrow, Essex Police licensing officer, described it as “modern-day slavery”.

He said: “We believe checks were not taken out.

“You cannot plead ignorance in this case.”