Dai's Story

“I haven’t seen daylight in two years.”

Child labour and forced labour in a food supply chain:
In this video, Dai describes how he grew up in an orphanage in Vietnam. At 14, men promised him restaurant work in China; instead, he was flown to Angola and put to work in an enclosed factory compound, loading frozen processed food onto trucks destined for countries like the UK. He has no control over his own life and no freedom.

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SEE THE STRINGS

Dai’s story illustrates how a consumer product can have exploitation concealed further up its supply chain. It shows how traffickers exploit the vulnerability of children to sell them a lie, then keep them trapped in circumstances beyond their control. In situations like Dai’s, where a victim is hidden away from public view or physically confined, it can be extremely hard for anyone to spot the signs of their exploitation. But there are still times when others might interact with them, for example while they are being transported, at a medical visit or if they are able to escape their confinement. You can look out for:

RESTRICTED MOVEMENT

Has little opportunity to move freely and may have had their travel documents retained e.g. passports

Is dropped off/collected for work either very early or late at night on a regular basis

Has no official identification documents

APPEARANCE

Shows signs of psychological and physical abuse

Appears anxious/agitated or withdrawn and neglected

LIVING CONDITIONS

Lives in unclean, cramped or overcrowded accommodation

Lives and is employed at the same location

Does not have many/any personal possessions

ISOLATION

Financial difficulties

Seems under the control or influence of others

No friends or family around them

RELUCTANT TO SEEK HELP

Avoids eye contact and/or appears frightened

Is hesitant to talk to strangers

Does not know who to trust or where to get help

SHARE THE CAMPAIGN

Awareness leads to action. Be part of the solution by sharing this campaign with everyone you know. See the Strings, spot the signs, and let's make the invisible visible.

GET HELP OR REPORT A CONCERN

If you or someone else are in immediate danger please call 999.

If you see something that doesn’t look right, phone the free Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, open 365 days a year, on

08000 121 700

The films were produced by Mayfly Television Ltd. Creator & director: Marcus Stephenson. Producer: Micaela Blitz. Puppetry: Little Angel Theatre / Strange Face Theatre Co.