THE BRITISH police detained three men during a raid on one of the factories in Rochdale, northwest England, during which they rescued 20 Slovaks who were working in terrible conditions. The men will probably be charged with human trafficking and enslaving people, the SITA newswire reported.
According to the local police spokesperson, the immigrants were working 80 hours a week for £125 (about €157) pay, of which they had to pay £100 (€126) for rent, transport or other expenses. Moreover, they were victims to the physical and verbal attacks, as reported by SITA.
The deductions from the salary caused that “the men and women were working for pennies while simultaneously ensuring they remain reliant on the people enslaving them”, James Faulkner of the Greater Manchester police said, as cited by SITA. He added that the products from the factory were designed for “major high street companies, with contracts running into the millions of pounds”.
“The men and women are promised accommodation and jobs, but are forced to live in cramped, terrible conditions before being taken to work in a factory for more than 12 hours each day,” Faulkner said, as quoted by SITA.
Source: SITA
Compiled by Radka Minarechová from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.
