I FEARED THE FARM OWNER WOULDTURN UP & KILL ME
Peter was lured to Scotland and forced to work 16 hours every day for no pay until cops freed him. A modern slavery charity is helping him rebuild his life .. and restore his shattered confidence
A HUMAN trafficking survivor has told how a business network tackling modern slavery has helped him rebuild his life.
The young man was lured to Scotland with the promise of a job and forced to work 16 hours a day, seven days a week on a farm for a year.
His trafficker threatened to kill him if he tried to leave but the survivor said his life has now been transformed by a new job and home.
The man, who we are calling Peter, said: “It has taken a while but I feel like the person I used to be. I am not afraid any more.”
Scotland Against Modern Slavery (Sams), an alliance of companies raising awareness of trafficking and supporting victims, found him work with one of its members – Scotbeef.
Peter said his self-respect has been restored working in the company’s meat processing plant, where he is paid above the living wage and is treated with respect.
He had worked unpaid for his trafficker, was living in squalid conditions and had to beg him for basics like clothes and toiletries. Peter, who is from Eastern Europe, said: “It used to be humiliating having to ask for things like clothes.
“When I got my first wage, I was excited. I went shopping, bought clothes and went to a KFC. It is a simple thing but it meant so much to me.
“I didn’t need to ask anyone for anything. I joined a gym, I eat healthily and I want to buy a dog. There is so much I can do now.”
Some 32 firms have joined the network of Sams, which was launched earlier this year.
So far seven trafficking victims have now been given jobs. Shan Saba, director of recruitment agency Brightwork, launched Sams after hearing stories of exploitation during a human trafficking awareness course.
It exists to support victims into work and to ensure companies are educated in the evils of modern slavery and are committed to eradicate it.
Peter was released from the farm last year after it was raided by police and he was taken to a safehouse. He added: “The police were really good but for the first few months, I couldn’t sleep.
“I kept thinking the farm owner would turn up and kill me. I couldn’t go out because I was scared he would find me.
“I had anxiety and panic attacks and it felt like a weight on my chest crushing me.
Before I went to the farm, I was confident and outgoing and I had friends. Afterwards, I had no confidence.
“I was a shell of who I had been. It became normal for me to feel like that.”
Charity Migrant Help, stepped in and helped him find accommodation and counselling and gradually he started to regain his confidence. Shan took him under his wing, taking him for lunch, spending quality time with him and becoming friends.
Peter said: “Shan is a nice man who has become a friend to me. I could turn to him with any problem. He has given me back my life and I consider him a friend.”
Scotbeef offered Peter a job in their processing plant in Queenslie in Glasgow and HR manager Debbie Lutton was assigned to be his point of contact and support if he needed anything. Peter said: “I love my job and Debbie has been very supportive. I have friends at work. They don’t know my story and they treat me like anyone else.
“I look forward to going into the plant and seeing them. I want to socialise again. I try to make as many friends as possible. I feel like myself again.”
He has worked hard to put the experience of the farm behind him and he is confident he is now strong enough to ensure he would never be exploited like that again.
He added: “I would recognise the signs now and I would never let that happen to me.”
When victims are placed through Sams with a business, there is a support structure in place as many struggle with trauma and they can find the workplace intimidating.
Debbie said it had been satisfying to watch Peter flourish with Scotbeef.
She said: “I have noticed such a difference in him since the day I met him. At first he came across as vulnerable, he couldn’t really make eye contact and he was really quiet.
“He was struggling with his mental health.
“The stability and routine and the communication and friendships have made such a difference to him. The feedback from his managers now is that he is confident, chatty and a fantastic asset to his team.
“He is not a victim any more, he is definitely a survivor.”
I couldn’t go out because I was scared he would find me .. it was crushing me PETER ON TRAUMA AFTER RELEASE
Shan added: “At first we had people who didn’t last in jobs because the structure wasn’t there. These people feel worthless and they have been traumatised.
“They need someone there to check in with a listening ear and help if they need it.
“Having a job and earning money for the work they do is something many trafficking victims have not had before and it restores their independence and self-respect.
“That’s key to helping them move on with their life.”
Shan has grown close to Peter, who struggled at first to find the confidence and energy to hold on to a job.
He said: “It took at least a month of regular contact for him to trust me.
“Now I feel like he is a friend and I have a genuine personal interest in him succeeding in life.”