Seasonal workers who feel like ‘slaves’ at risk of trafficking: Report

Workers coming to the UK to pick fruit and operate in agriculture are at serious risk of forced labour and human trafficking, groups warn.

A report conducted by Focus on Labour Exploitation (Flex) and the Fife Migrants Forum warns the scheme that allows people from overseas to work in agricultural roles, including soft fruit picking, is at risk of exploitation.

They found workers were at direct risk of human trafficking as a result of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SWS) pilot, which was introduced following the end of freedom of movement after the UK left the EU.

The worker entry programme has been criticised from the outset, with farmers concerned not enough people were being granted permission to work in the high season, which would have detrimental effects on soft fruit production.

It is understood this is the first survey of its kind to focus on the experience of workers on the seasonal scheme.

Workers have claimed they are made to feel like “slaves”, the report uncovered.

Accommodation provided to overseas workers is often mouldy, with damp prominent, as well as being dirty and unhygienic.

Workers reported having no washing facilities other than a paid service where a woman took their clothes and returned them wet.

They were prohibited from drying clothes in the caravan so their farmer offered them a polytunnel in which to dry clothes. This was leading to continuously damp clothes, they claimed.

People who complained about working and living conditions were threatened with termination of employment and a majority of workers felt they were pressured into doing more work than they had time for.

Billy Lynch, interim manager at Fife Migrants Forum, said: “Throughout the term of the research I became increasingly concerned about the infringements experienced by workers and the desperate situations they found themselves in.

“My concern has turned to both shame and anger. People from other countries, due to their experience of this pilot, view Scotland in a very poor light, where some can even feel like slaves. I’m angry that in 2021 we can still ride roughshod over basic human rights.”

Flex chief executive Lucila Granada said: “The report reveals that the SWS is increasing the risk of human trafficking for forced labour in the UK agricultural sector.

“The evidence calls for an urgent review of the scheme.”

Iain Brown, chairman of NFU Scotland Horticulture Working Group, said: “Migrant workers are a vital asset to Scotland’s fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plant producers, and they are a critical part of the sector’s success.

“It is therefore essential that Scotland remains a desirable place to work, and with an employee return rate of around 70%, we know that most farm businesses are considered attractive and rewarding places to work.

“For some workers, however, their experiences while working in the UK are not acceptable.

“NFU Scotland will be working with its members and the wider industry to address this in order to improve the experience for both growers and migrant workers.”

Scottish Government Rural Affairs Minister Ben Macpherson said: “The findings of this report are concerning and highlight the need for an urgent, comprehensive and effective response.

“With the powers that we have, the Scottish Government is committed to doing all it can to address the relevant recommendations from the research to ensure that Scotland continues to be a desirable destination for those workers who play a vital role in the continued success and growth of horticulture, and other rural industries.”

JOURNALISM GRADUATE Sonny Neil had hit a bit of a brick wall but with the careful guidance of his Youth Work Coach, he’s back on track and the future’s looking much brighter.

Having left university in Edinburgh without the usual fanfare of a graduation ceremony, he was keen to put his four years of hard work and practical study to good use.

But a national lockdown and global pandemic made job seeking especially difficult.

“There were few opportunities in my field,” he explains. “I had been applying for everything under the sun, as well as what I trained for.”

By Christmas, Sonny was in a real slump and felt like he was “getting nowhere”, something Chris Robb, a Youth Work Coach at Dalkeith recognised immediately.

He had been Sonny’s Work Coach since August 2020 and they had regular catch-ups, usually once a week. “At first he seemed to be quite focused but it was getting to November time and he was not getting anywhere,” said Chris, who has been instrumental in delivering digital sessions with customers at the Dalkeith office to keep jobseekers motivated.

He talks about winter months being dark, but with COVID they have felt like much darker times for some of his customers.

“Lockdown has meant people have been spending so much time on their own that it’s easy for them to assume what they are doing is wrong - but the problem could be circumstances out of their control,” says Chris.

“I think in Sonny’s case he had been trying so hard but was wondering what he was doing wrong.

“I saw a lot of self-doubt and self-criticism.”

Chris continues: “He was really feeling the pressure and wanted to make sure his time at university was meaningful.”

As Sonny explains: “My biggest fear was that I would be pigeon-holed into a career I did not want to do.

“I understand there are jobs to be filled, but I was scared that if I was forced down a path I did not want to do, I would find it hard to get back.”

But he had faith in Chris’s advice.

“I feel he always has my interests at heart. I felt he really understood my desire to be a journalist,” said Sonny.

So, when Sonny was at a low, Chris suggested a motivational course which helps people to fulfil their potential.

“It’s hard to know what you want to do in life when life itself grinds to a halt,” says Chris.

Then when a PR writing opportunity came up under the Kickstart scheme - a six-month paid work placement open to 16-24 year old jobseekers on Universal Credit – Chris got in touch with Sonny immediately, and he is now awaiting the results of a second stage interview for the role.

Sonny says he is now much more positive for the future and would urge anyone to get as much help as they can from their Work Coach – they offer moral support as well as practical help.

“He would not only ask if I was doing things, but would also ask how I was doing,” he said.

“At the end of the day my Work Coach and the DWP have done the best they can to support me.”