Traffickedmangetsnew hope in pioneer job move
AVICTIM of human trafficking was forced, under the threat of violence to him and his family, to open bank accounts for a gang within weeks of arriving in Glasgow.
The man, whose identity has been protected, came to the city from Romania after he was contacted by a childhood friend who put him in touch with someone who offered him employment and accommodation in the UK.
About two weeks later, the unemployed victim, who we are calling Frank, was sent a ticket for a flight to Glasgow. He was met at the airport by a man who took him to an address in the city.
He was then forced to carry out work for the gang until he was saved by the organisation Migrant Help.
Now Frank, who is married with a young family, is set to become the first victim of modern slavery in Scotland to be offered a permanent job thanks to the Co-op.
The Co-op has teamed up with Migrant Help, which has offices in Glasgow and Paisley, to help Frank obtain a job as part of an innovative employment programme.
Under the scheme, known as Bright Future, the Co-op provides survivors of human trafficking with a fourweek paid work placement leading to a non-competitive interview. If this is successful, and there is a position available, the candidate will then be offered a job in the Co-op’s Food business.
Frank is now in the midst of his paid work placement in a Co-op store.
If Frank, who is still too scared to talk about what happened to him, completes his work placement and successfully completes the interview he will be offered a job with the Co-op.
His life changed after he escaped the clutches of the gang. He decided to sell all his belongings to fund a deposit for a flat of his own with a reputable landlord. He changed his telephone number several times so the gang could not contact him. He then decided to contact the police and was put in touch with Migrant Help, who provided him with support.
Paul Gerrard, Group Policy and Campaigns Director at the Co-op, said: “Having heard Frank’s harrowing story I am proud that we have teamed up with Mi- grant Help to offer real practical help to survivors of this evil crime.
“It is clear that victims need to be supported while they rebuild their lives and central to that is the dignity that paid, freely chosen employment provides. Without this, there is a real chance that they could fall back into the hands of those who have exploited them.”
John Merralls, Head of Human Trafficking and Victims of Slavery Support Services at Migrant Help added: “Migrant Help is fully sup- portive of the Bright Future programme. Employment is a very important part of regaining self-confidence and sense of independence for survivors of human trafficking.
“We know how keen our clients are to work and be able to support themselves and their families. We are very pleased to see Frank enjoying his job.”
The Bright Future programme began last year and already 15 vulnerable survivors across the UK have secured employment with the Co-op.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice Michael Matheson said: “I am very pleased that Frank has been able to find genuine employment away from the clutches of human traffickers. The Scottish Government is continuing to tackle this crime with tougher laws and alerting the public through our awareness campaign.”
The Co-op is encouraging other businesses to join the Bright Future programme.
The Evening Times has previously reported on people from the migrant community being exploited by working in poor conditions with little pay at city car washes.
We also reported Slovakian women as young as 18 were being trafficked to the UK with promise of a better life. When they arrived they were sold for between £3000 and £10,000 as part of a sham marriage scheme.
Their buyers, mainly men from Pakistan, wanted EU citizenship.