Modern slavery is a horror story that thrives on the edges of our society, often in employment sectors such as agriculture, horticulture and floriculture. It’s in the restaurant kitchens, the wholesalers, farms and delivery companies supplying the produce for your meals. And you can find it in the local car wash that’s just a little bit too cheap, or in the nail salon where no one speaks to you, and no one asks why.
It’s not invisible, but it’s not quite in plain sight either. It can be seen, but only by those who choose to see it. It’s in the UK, in your local area and the businesses you use. Modern slavery is too often shrouded in a veil of indifference in which human dignity is relegated below other concerns. Society chooses not to see, and not to believe.
Anti-Slavery Day on Friday 18th October is an attempt to change this. Anti-Slavery Day is part of Anti-Slavery week, a UK and European awareness week, which this year runs from 14th – 20th October.
Recent Home Office figures show there were 17,004 potential victims of modern slavery identified in the UK in 2023. That’s the highest annual number since records started in 2009, and it only includes the adults that were identified and consented to being referred to authorities for help; many do not consent for fear of reprisals. Of these 17,004 referrals, the UK was the leading country of origin - 25% were of UK nationality, followed by 24% from Albania and 6% from Vietnam.
That’s 5484 men, 4088 women, and 7432 children working in this country last year for little or no pay, and whilst under the threat of violence, all being exploited to work, usually in criminal activities, whilst being threatened with physical violence to themselves or their families.
According to the charities and businesses that advocate for survivors of modern slavery, the overall rates of referrals are slowing not because the problem is being solved, but because changes to law combined with hostile rhetoric has created barriers to identifying potential victims and helping them access support and protection.
So, what can you do as a business?
You can highlight the issue and educate your customers using the power of flowers. Follow the lead of Interflora Head Office in Sleaford, Lincolnshire and drop posies of flowers around your local area, to be picked up by a member of the public (think lonely bouquet / random act of kindness). Each posy can be low cost (you could use up broken or unwanted stems). Attach a card to each posy with a few fact about modern slavery - take a look here for guidance https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/slavery-uk/ - and include your business details. Then take pictures of your posies and cards in situ and post on your social media accounts to raise awareness.
So, what can you do as an individual?
Firstly, just stop to think. Does something I’m seeing in a business I’m using seem ‘off’? Do the goods or services I’m paying for seem too cheap? Ask yourself where that cost saving is coming from – more often than not, it’s in the labour…and this applies to buying online as well as in person.
If you suspect modern slavery is taking place, you can call the Modern Slavery helpline on 08000 121 700 or raise concerns online at https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
Zara Taylor is the Head of Wholesale & Supply at Interflora.
She has worked in flowers since 2010, first at Flamingo Horticulture, then at Interflora. Zara recently completed Cambridge University’s CISL course on Sustainable Business Management, and has a real personal passion for living a positive, minimal impact lifestyle.
