Workers pay terrible price for our cheap valets
THOUSANDS of workers in hand car washes are thought to be victims of modern slavery, paid virtually nothing for very long shifts and forced to live in squalid accommodation.
for little or no pay, and when they have finished go “home” to poor accommodation, often consisting of shipping containers. Those who try to quit are threatened with violence or even deportation.
The Government believes up to 13,000 people are victims of modern slavery, which PM Theresa May dubbed “the great human rights issue of our time”.
Many are trafficked into the UK on the promise of paid work before becoming trapped in debt bondage, owing money to their bosses which they stand no chance of ever repaying.
Daily Mirror investigators, working with the anti-slavery watchdog, found evidence to suggest thousands of mainly Eastern European people could be trapped working on forecourts and car parks.
Unable to speak English, they can work for up to 11 hours a day The Mirror visited 10 hand car washes and found all displayed at least two of the five tell-tale signs of modern slavery.
Kevin Hyland, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, whose office drafted the five signs, said: “These findings are really powerful.
“People think this is something happening on distant shores, on different continents, but actually they need to realise slavery is happening in our cities, towns and villages.
“This is something many people will unwittingly see every day without realising what’s behind it. These people washing our cars up and down our high streets are potentially victims of modern slavery.”
Campaigners say many washers are trafficked into Britain before being told their travel here has cost more than expected.
They can be paid just £40 for 11 hours work and wages are docked to cover accommodation. Washers are told to work off their travel debt but the pay never covers it.
Many do not have immigration papers and bosses threaten to report them if they try to quit.
Only one of the 10 facilities we visited had equipped workers with waterproofs and full protective clothing. At seven out of the 10 staff were unfamiliar with the English language. Nine of the 10 lacked professional facilities, often with dangerous electrical wiring.
At all 10, we saw three or more workers washing one car, and we witnessed up to seven to a vehicle.
At two out of 10 sites, we found evidence to suggest washers were being housed on-site. We saw metal shipping containers equipped with satellite dishes, surrounded by barbed wire and rubbish bags. Workers were reluctant to have conversations with the public and when approached repeatedly pointed us to a “boss”.
A car wash service could cost from just £2.99, with a valet service starting at £9.99.
The Car Wash Advisory Service said around 1,000 of the estimated 16,000 hand car washes observe any regulatory requirements and many staff get below the minimum wage, usually cash in hand.
Mr Hyland added: “Decent hard working Brits are using these car washes and they aren’t aware what they are seeing. Sometimes you have six to nine people washing a car. By the time bosses have paid costs how are they ever going to pay the minimum wage?
“We talk about modern slavery being a hidden crime. Sometimes it’s actually hidden in plain sight.”
The National Crime Agency said it was helping in 300 police operations targeting modern slavery, with victims as young as 12. It added there were cases in “every large town and city in the country”.
Last week 11 members of the Rooney family in Lincolnshire were convicted of running a modern slavery ring.
If you suspect someone is being exploited, call the police, or the Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700.