Modern Slavery affects 13,000 victims in the UK alone from overseas domestic worker slaves to sex workers

When we think of slavery we tend to think of bygone days or people in third world countries. However, modern day slavery is as real as it was 200 years ago.

Meenal Sachdev, Director of Shiva Foundation

On the day Theresa May signed the letter invoking Article50, the process which will take Britain out of the EU, I attended a conference in Hertfordshire, Tackling Modern Day Slavery, organised by Meenal Sachdev, Director of the Shiva Foundation. The event was attended by over 200 including the Police Commissioner of Hertfordshire, the Home Office, NHS and various charities.

The Home Office estimates that there are 13,000 victims of modern day slavery in the UK, ranging from exploited workers domestic workers to women being trafficked into the country to work in the sex trade.

The conference has helped to spread awareness of the exploitation of people, which could be going on behind closed doors in your neighbourhood.

Prime Minister, Theresa May

Prime Minister Theresa May introduced the Slavery Act while serving as Home Secretary, widely seen as her legacy from her successful term in the Home Office. As a result of the act the maximum penalty for slavery is life imprisonment.

Rescuing victims from forced labour or servitude is generally only the first step, as they will need ongoing support and help once freed. This can extend to support in their own country, for people trafficked into the UK, where they are often in debt to criminal gangs. Romania is one of the countries cooperating with authorities in the UK and a number of successful cross-border operations have been conducted to clamp down on criminals. 

Slavery is the second fastest growing form of organised crime which also encompasses people trafficking, immigration fraud crimes and sham marriages where EEA citizens were flown in to marry Pakistani and African men.

The majority of the examples of crimes, were committed by gangs from Eastern European countries like Slovakia, Hungary and Romania.

There are a number of charities and organisations which help victims of modern day slavery including Unseen which has a confidential Modern Slavery helpline: 08000 121 700.

The long term outlook for Britain looks positive within Europe, but outside the European Union. The UK is an attractive place to work, start a business or buy property - even with no money down, with no restrictions on foreign buyers and a vibrant mortgage market with record low interest rates. Leading economists predict that, despite Brexit, house prices will continue rising due to shortages of stock and strong demand in the rental sector.

If you would like to learn more about investing in UK property, I have a limited number of complimentary tickets to a LIVE EVENT  - Beginners Property Course (held in the UK), which will give you the basic knowledge and techniques to get started. If you are interest, email me your full name and telephone number to euukimmigration@gmail.com.

See also:

UK based Indian charity in visa fraud Immigration scam

Article 50 date 29 March 2017 and UK Brexit within 2 years

Minimum £18,600 income for foreign spouses lawful "in principle", Supreme Court rules

Rents rise as young first-time buyers struggle to get a foot on the UK property ladder, but there is help available