Zimbabwean nationals working in the United Kingdom as carers or caregivers or caregivers are in the top three of workers being subjected to modern day slavery. While in the top three, the southern African country leads other African countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and Botswana.
By Kudakwashe Pembere
This came out in a report dubbed ‘Who Cares? A REVIEW OF REPORTS OF EXPLOITATION IN THE CARE SECTOR by Unseen, a UK organization.
Many a Zimbabweans have been migrating to the UK in search for greener pastures particularly in 2022, lured by the appetizing incomes averaging GBP 2 000 (US$2429.11) to work as carers.
With hoards still leaving the country to become carers tending the elderly, children and the sick in the UK, this report revealed that most Zimbabweans are enduring labour exploitation.
In the first half of 2023 the top three nationalities indicated were consistent with 2022, with high numbers from India (63, 20%), Zimbabwe (20, 6%) and Nigeria (20, 6%). No potential victims were indicated as Ghanaian nationals, which had been the fourth most prevalent in 2022.
“Previously unrecorded nationalities indicated in 2023 were potential victims from Zambia (12), South Africa (11), Kenya (1), Morocco (1) and Thailand (1). In the case of 164 potential victims, the nationality was recorded as unknown,” said Unseen in the report.
According to the report, contacts to the Helpline in 2022 indicated 20 different potential victim nationalities relating to labour exploitation in the care sector. A further five nationalities were indicated in contacts related to cases raised in 2023.
“In 2022 by far the most prevalent nationality indicated in situations of labour exploitation involving the care sector (where nationality was recorded) was Indian, comprising 48% (147) of all potential victims indicated.
“These high numbers in the care sector resulted in a rise of 536% in the total number of Indian nationals indicated in modern slavery from 2021 to 2022. Also prevalent were potential victims from Zimbabwe (45, 15%) and Nigeria (25, 8%).
“In the case of 402 potential victims, the nationality was recorded as unknown. Potential victims were also indicated from Ukraine (3), Nepal (2), Sierra Leone (2), and one each from Botswana, Bulgaria, Cameroon, England, Lithuania, UAE and “other”,” read the report.
Coupled with labour exploitation, these carers were in debts as high as GBP25 000 (US$30,366.88).
“Being in debt alone doesn’t meet the threshold of modern slavery. However, when workers feel unable to leave because they are being threatened by their exploiter or they’re being forced to work long hours and have no other means of income, they can become trapped.
“Having such a debt, which is often raised through family and community members or by mortgaging or selling property, can have a significant psychological impact on a vulnerable person. In some cases, the debt accrued to secure sponsorship, work, and travel to the UK is around £2,000 (US$2 430.59).
“However, in many instances the debt can exceed £20,000 (US$24,293.50), and in a few cases as much as £25,000 (US$30,366.88). This is significant for anyone, let alone someone paid at or less than the National Minimum Wage. Add to that the likelihood of deductions being made from an individual’s pay for accommodation, food and transport, and it becomes evident that workers are in a cycle where they will never be able to pay off the debt.
“In 2023 the average amount of debt bondage per worker indicated to the Helpline is more than £11,800 (US$14,331.75). This is based on information received by the Helpline about the debts of 109 workers in the care sector,” said Unseen.
Unseen said some common themes emerge regarding methods used to keep individuals in modern slavery situations in the care sector.
“Financial control was indicated for almost three-quarters of potential victims (739, 72.5%). Financial control presented itself in several ways, including withholding of wages, non-compliance with National Minimum Wage, withholding of payslips, large deductions from salary, debt bondage, and excessive fees for breaking contract.
“Tied accommodation was prevalent (613, 60.1%), presenting as accommodation provided by the employer or potential victims living at the work premises. Living conditions were often described as poor and overcrowded,” read the report. “Confinement or restricted movement was indicated by nearly half of potential victims (439, 43%). Potential victims had their travel to the UK arranged by the employer, were transported to and from work, forced to find accommodation within a certain radius of the work premises, or prevented from going to places of worship or attending medical appointments.”
There were also threats to take away the certificates of sponsorship.
“Threats were also common (348, 34.1%). Threats to revoke certificates of sponsorship or have potential victims deported were commonplace, as were threats to report potential victims to the police or the Disclosure and Barring Service, and threats that references would not be provided or that working hours would be cut.
“Threats were made to harm not only the individual but sometimes a family member or someone else close to a potential victim (41, 4%). Actual physical harm was also reported (21, 2.1%). Emotional abuse was indicated with almost a quarter of potential victims (238, 23.3%). Potential victims were often shouted at, insulted or subject to racial abuse.
