William Wilberforce is a hero from the pages of British political and social history. He is synonymous with the abolition of slavery. He was instrumental in bringing an end the use of British ships in the transportation of slaves from Africa to the Caribbean. The 'Slave Trade Act' was passed in 1807. One would expect that slavery in the United Kingdom would be a thing of the past. It is not so. People trafficking in Great Britain is estimated to be in the thousands each year. It is not possible to present accurate figures because it is an illicit trade.
A Definition
Collins English Dictionary defines a slave as, "a person legally owned by another and having no freedom of action or right to property ; a person forced to work for another against his will.'" Slavery has been outlawed in every country in the world, making this defintion out of date. However, the essentials of slavery have not changed. Invariably, a slave is under the control of a master. Ultimately, there is the underlying threat of violence and abuse. In a contemporary context, where sex slaves are concerned, violence and rape are a threat in their everyday life.
Types of Modern Slavery
There are several types of 'slavery' operating in the United Kingdom today. According to research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, it is possible to discover people working under slave conditions '... in a wide variety of employment, including domestic work, construction, agriculture and food-related occupations, sexual activity and many marginal economic activities.' Whilst many of those who carry out physical labour are remunerated, it is well below the National Minimum Wage of £5.93 per hour. (October 2010). The great irony is that many of the victims have entered the country by legal means. However, when they enter into 'mixed-debt' bondage arrangements, they likely have their passports and identity documents removed by their masters.
In addition, many people in the United Kingdom unwittingly support the activities of slave systems by purchasing low price goods produced in foreign sweat shops. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, "Employers in developing countries find ways around corporate codes of ethical trading and UK-based corporations do not police them in any meaningful way."Who Profits?
Gang masters, who may number as many as ten thousand in Great Britain, control the workers in many of the industries listed above. As well as deliberately holding back some of their wages, they charge high rents for very crowded and substandard accommodation. Some well known 'high street' retailers make significant profits from those working in slave labour conditions. Those who profit from sexual slavery are members of illegal gangs and underworld organizations
UK Enforcement Agencies
One of the sad facts relating to slavery and people trafficking in the United Kingdom is that where the authorities do take action, it is most likely immigration will intervene. There has yet to be a successful action brought under 2004 Asylum and Immigration Act. It would appear that the spirit of Wilberforce needs to be revived if the United Kindom is to resume its place at the forefront in the fight for an end to slavery.
References:
Hanks, P (Editor) 'Collins English Dictionay' collins 1979
Craig, Gaus, Wilkinson,Skrivankova and McQuade, 'Contemorary slavery in the UK: Overview and key issues', Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2007
