Omar's Story

“There are new, modern ways of enslaving people.”

Labour exploitation in the UK care sector:
In this video, Omar tells of how he was recruited in West Africa for care work in the UK, which turned out to mean working 6am to 9pm or 10pm, seven days a week, with no breaks. He says spurious ‘deductions’ meant his month’s pay could be as little as £175, and says that he was forced to work even while ill. When he objected, he was threatened with cancellation of his sponsorship and deportation.

Report a concern

SEE THE STRINGS

Omar's story illustrates how excessive hours, deductions and threats linked to immigration sponsorship can be combined to trap a worker in modern slavery. 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Appears anxious/agitated or withdrawn and neglected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.