Know Your Rights

Much of what we've discussed in previous episodes isn't easy to understand unless there's a real life case study to relate to. For this episode we hear from Raitis who moved to the UK from his native Latvia in 2011. He worked in a number of jobs including fruit picking and construction. Here we find out what happened when someone offered him a job at a roofing company just before Christmas one year. For more information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or visit their website: Modern Slavery Helpline or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

Understanding how to spot the signs of labour exploitation is crucial. But equally important is knowing how to report your concerns and the information that the GLAA and partners are looking for when you make that call. In the first part of this episode Justine Currell from the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline explains what the helpline does, how it can help people, what they do with your information and how to contact the helpline if you need advice or help. In the second part of this episode GLAA Investigating Officer Tom Frost explains what sort of information is helpful and how the GLAA deals with any intelligence they receive. For more information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or visit their website: Modern Slavery Helpline or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

In this episode we focus on modern slavery and how to spot the signs if you or someone you know has been exploited. We are joined by GLAA Senior Investigating Officer Jen Baines. Jen began the episode by explaining the difference between modern slavery and labour exploitation. More information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

In this third episode of our series we look more closely at employment rights and some of the main points to be aware of when you start work. Marina Glasgow from ACAS explains the most important employment rights to be aware of when you move into the world of work and how ACAS can help if you need information or advice. For information or advice visit the ACAS website or call free on 0800 470 0611. More information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

Job scams are sadly extremely prevalent in the current job market. During the COVID-19 pandemic, almost three in four jobseekers (74%) applied for jobs that were not genuine. In the second episode of this podcast series we learn more about how to apply for jobs safely. We are joined by Keith Rosser, Chair of JobsAware, who explains how to tell the difference between real and fake jobs and how JobsAware can help to tackle bogus job adverts. JobsAware provide free help and advice to UK workers who have suffered from job scams or unfair working practices. Click the link to report an issue via the Jobsaware website. For more information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

GLAA CEO Elysia McCaffrey introduces the second series of Know Your Rights, with the focus for these six episodes all on the Level 1 Award in Workers' Rights and Labour Exploitation we have developed with the Skills and Education Group. In this first episode GLAA Head of Communications Paul Coffey spoke to Head of Prevention and Partnerships Frank Hanson and Scott Forbes from the Skills and Education Group to find out what the qualification is and how it came into being. For more information about the qualification visit the Skills and Education website: Level 1 Award in Workers Rights and Labour Exploitation - ABC and Certa Awards : ABC and Certa Awards (skillsandeducationgroupawards.co.uk) Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery and Exploitation Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app

Exploatarea prin muncă este o problemă globală și o crimă internatională, afectând milioane de oameni din întreaga lume, incluzând deasemenea multe victime și în Regatul Unit. În fiecare an, Gangmasters And Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) identifică mii de potențiale victime ale exploatării și lucrează în parteneriat cu alte agenții pentru a: Preveni exploatarea lucrătorilor.Proteja personele vulnerabile.Urmări pe cei ce exploatează pe alții pentru munca depusă de ei, fie financiar, fizic și/sau prin coerție și control. La baza a ceea ce face GLAA stă protecția lucrătorilor vulnerabili și exploatați, atât prin investigațiile lor dar și prin munca în parteneriat. Victimele sunt protejate și li se dă oportunitatea de a-și reface viața într-un mediu lipsit de exploatare. În acest episod, jurnalista Andreea Salvage, vorbește cu un bărbat român pe care l-am numit John. John a venit în Regatul Unit în 2014 și a lucrat pentru o perioadă scurtă de timp într-o spălătorie auto în Londra unde a fost exploatat. John a reușit să scape de exploatatorii săi și după ce a mers la Poliție, a fost ajutat de organizația caritabilă City Hearts.

Labour exploitation is a global problem and international crime, affecting millions of people worldwide, including many victims within the UK. Each year, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) identifies thousands of potential victims of exploitation and works in partnership with other agencies to: Prevent worker exploitationProtect vulnerable peoplePursue those who exploit others for their work whether financially, physically and or through coercion and control At the heart of what the GLAA does is to protect vulnerable and exploited workers through its investigations and partnership work. Victims are safeguarded and given the opportunity to rebuild their lives free from exploitation. In this episode, journalist Andreea Salvage speaks to a Romanian man we are calling John. John came to the UK in 2014 and briefly worked at hand car wash in London before he was exploited. John managed to escape from his exploiters and after going to the police was helped by the City Hearts charity. You can read more about City Hearts and the crucial work it does here: https://cityhearts.global   Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation at hand car washes by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Safe Car Wash app here: https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/

Customers at hand car washes and any other business should be provided with all the basic information that they need to be able to make an informed decision about the goods or services that they purchase. In this episode, Dean Cooke from Slough Trading Standards talks to Andreea Salvage about the key consumer protections people should be aware of. The law protects your consumer rights when you buy goods or services. You can get help if you feel you have been treated unfairly at a hand car wash or if you have information that the site is not complying with trading standards.   Contact Citizens Advice in England and Wales by calling 0808 223 1133. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. The Welsh language option is 0808 223 1144. For Scotland, call Advice Direct Scotland on 0808 164 6000. In Northern Ireland, call Consumerline on 0300 123 6262. More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/

Health and safety is all about stopping workers from getting hurt or ill through work. Everyone has a right to work in places where risks to their health and safety are properly controlled. Health and safety is particularly important at hand car washes, with the use of chemicals and also the interaction employees have with customers. In this episode, Chris Maher from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) joins journalist Andreea Salvage to explain the powers of HSE in shutting down unsafe premises, as well as the benefits of promoting good health and safety.   Report health and safety breaches at hand car washes by visiting HSE’s concerns page: https://www.hse.gov.uk/contact/concerns.htm You can also call HSE on 0300 003 1647. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 5pm. More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/

The National Minimum Wage was introduced on April 1 1999 and in the following 22 years, it has transformed the UK’s labour market. In the first 20 years of its existence, HM Revenue and Customs’ dedicated National Minimum Wage team helped over 835,000 workers recover almost £119 million in unpaid wages. Joining journalist Andreea Salvage for this episode is Barry Greene, from the NMW team. Barry gives listeners a rundown of everything you need to know about the National Minimum Wage, why hand car washes are an area of concern for him and his team, and some of the common errors to avoid.   You can check the current National Minimum Wage rates here: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage-rates Read more about who is entitled to the National Minimum Wage: https://www.gov.uk/national-minimum-wage/who-gets-the-minimum-wage Unsure if you are getting the National Minimum Wage? Check that you are being paid correctly here: https://www.gov.uk/am-i-getting-minimum-wage ACAS provides advice for both employees and employers, including around the National Minimum Wage: https://www.acas.org.uk/pay-and-wages You can call ACAS on 0300 123 1100. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. There’s also the option of reporting National Minimum Wage breaches to HM Revenue and Customs directly: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/pay-and-work-rights-complaints More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/

Workers being exploited for their labour is something that sadly continues to exist in 21st century Britain. Men, women and children of all ages and backgrounds can become victims of human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude or debt bondage. Victims are controlled by force, threats, coercion, abduction, fraud and deception. In this episode, journalist Andreea Salvage speaks to Lys Ford, Senior Prevention and Partnerships Officer at the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). The GLAA is a UK-wide law enforcement agency tasked with investigating and preventing labour exploitation across the entire economy, whether that’s at a farm, construction site, or indeed a hand car wash. Lys explains the role and remit of the GLAA, as well as giving some crucial guidance to workers and consumers about spotting the signs of modern slavery and labour abuse at car washes.   Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation at hand car washes by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Safe Car Wash app here: https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa More information on how to apply to join the Responsible Car Wash Scheme can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/

The number of hand car washes in the UK has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. As many as 7,000 hand car washes have popped up across the country and while many follow all the rules and regulations, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and other law enforcement agencies have uncovered issues ranging from labour exploitation to non-payment of the National Minimum Wage and health and safety breaches. In this episode, journalist Andreea Salvage is joined by Teresa Sayers, Managing Director of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme (RCWS). The RCWS was founded in 2018 as a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting compliance and raising standards across the car wash industry. Teresa explains the aims and benefits of the scheme, and how car wash owners can apply to become members.   More information on how to apply to join the RCWS can be found here: https://rcws.org.uk/ Read the latest news from the GLAA on its website: https://www.gla.gov.uk Follow the GLAA on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGLAA Follow the GLAA on Twitter: @UK_Glaa Report issues of modern slavery and labour exploitation at hand car washes by calling the GLAA on 0800 4320804 or emailing intelligence@gla.gov.uk. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm but you can leave a message outside of these hours. Alternatively, call the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Download the Safe Car Wash app here: https://www.theclewerinitiative.org/safecarwash Download the Unseen app here: https://www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/about/unseen-app