This case involves 16 victims of modern slavery who were exploited over eight years (2012-2019), forced to work under coercion and control at a McDonald’s branch and a factory supplying bread products to major UK supermarkets. The victims, mostly vulnerable individuals from the Czech Republic with histories of homelessness or addiction, were deceived by false promises of well-paid jobs. Instead, they were subjected to excessive working hours, had their wages stolen, and were forced to live in degrading conditions. The gang behind this exploitation—led by brothers Ernest and Zdenek Drevenak—used fear and violence to control their victims. The companies involved included McDonald’s, Asda, Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose. The gang members are now serving prison sentences, but the exploitation went undetected by the companies for years, despite numerous signs of modern slavery being present.
Recognizing potential signs of modern slavery is essential in identifying and assisting victims. Modern slavery can manifest in various forms, including forced labor, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and domestic servitude. Here are some common indicators that were left unchecked:
Physical and Behavioral Signs:
- Lack of Personal Freedom: Victims’ passports were confiscated by the gang, limiting their freedom and ability to leave. They were controlled through fear and violence, demonstrating coercion and lack of autonomy.
- Restricted Communication: Victims could not speak English, making communicating their situation difficult or seeking help independently.
- Signs of Fear or Anxiety: Some victims escaped but were trafficked back to the UK. This suggests they were too fearful to remain free and were re-trafficked under duress.
- Unusual Living Conditions: Victims lived in cramped, substandard accommodations, such as a leaking shed and an unheated caravan, which is common in cases of modern slavery. Multiple victims shared the same terraced home (nine victims in one house in Enfield), indicating overcrowded living conditions.
Employment and Financial Indicators:
- Withheld Earnings or Identity Documents: Although the victims earned the legal minimum wage, their pay was stolen by the gang, leaving them with just a few pounds a day. Their wages were paid into bank accounts controlled by the gang rather than into their accounts.
- Excessive Working Hours: Victims were forced to work extreme hours, ranging from 70 to 100 hours per week. One victim worked a 30-hour shift. This meets the International Labour Organization’s excessive overtime and forced labor criteria.
- No Control Over Employment Process: Job applications were completed by a gang member who even sat in on interviews, controlling the victims’ entire recruitment and employment process.
Social and Psychological Signs:
- Isolation: The victims were isolated by language barriers and living arrangements, separated from broader society, and dependent on the gang for all basic needs.
- Psychological Manipulation and Dependence: The gang used fear, violence, and confiscation of personal documents to control the victims, making them psychologically dependent and too fearful to escape permanently.
Situational Indicators:
- Multiple Employees with the Same Address: Nine victims had the same registered address in Enfield, North London. This should have been a red flag for the authorities or employers.
- Unusual Movement Patterns and Dependency: Victims were tracked down and trafficked back to the UK when they attempted to escape, indicating close monitoring and restriction of movement.
- False Promises of Employment and Living Conditions: The victims were lured from the Czech Republic with false promises of a well-paid job, a common tactic used by traffickers.
The Modern Slavery Act, while a critical step towards addressing forced labor and human trafficking, has significant shortcomings that limit its effectiveness. One major inadequacy is its lack of enforcement mechanisms; companies are only required to publish statements on their plans, with no penalties for failing to take substantive action. This leads to superficial compliance, where businesses issue vague commitments without implementing tangible changes.
Moreover, the Act’s coverage is limited to larger companies, leaving out smaller firms and suppliers—such as the factory in this case—where exploitation is more likely to be hidden. To improve the law, it should mandate clear standards and accountability by setting specific criteria for reporting, such as the disclosure of supply chain audits and actual outcomes of anti-slavery initiatives. Including financial penalties and sanctions for non-compliance, alongside independent oversight, would ensure that companies are held responsible and incentivized to prioritize genuine anti-slavery measures.
Expanding the Act to cover smaller businesses and third-party suppliers would close loopholes and create a more comprehensive, industry-wide approach to eradicating modern slavery.
This case demonstrates numerous red flags typical of modern slavery, including withheld wages, excessive work hours, controlled movement, and poor living conditions. Unfortunately, these indicators were missed by employers and authorities for years, allowing the exploitation to continue.
Don’t let violations go unnoticed in your business. Illustro Consultancy’s supply chain investigations can help you maintain compliance and uphold ethical standards. Learn more about our services here.
