New Vulnerable Worker Laws Introduced

On 6 April 2010 new laws came into force aimed at preventing the exploitation of vulnerable workers. The new offence of holding another person in slavery or servitude, or requiring another person to perform forced or compulsory labour is to be construed in accordance with Article 4 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits slavery and forced labour, and carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.

The legislation is designed to protect vulnerable people such as migrant workers with little English, those unaware of their employment rights, or those unable to report what is happening to them and will apply to anyone who holds a person in such circumstances, not just employers.  Although the current law already covers trade in slaves and trafficking people for labour exploitation, the new laws will apply where no trafficking or trading is involved, making clear that holding a person in slavery is also an offence.

Nick Barnett

Published on 10/08/2010