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Focus on Labour Exploitation

@focusonlabour.bsky.social
665 followers 115 following 249 posts

Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is a research and policy organisation working towards an end to labour exploitation.

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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
3/3 Wed 30 Sept, 10–11am BST A Seat at the Table? launches FLEX’s new learning report on putting workers at the centre of human rights due diligence in outsourced services. Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-seat-at-... #WorkersRights #WorkerVoice
eventbrite.co.uk
A seat at the table?
Lessons from testing worker-centred human rights due diligence in outsourced services
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
2/3 Tue 29 Sept, 9:30–11am BST Co-hosted by FLEX and TUC, with speakers from ACTU, Migrant Workers Centre and UNISON. What can the UK learn from Australia? Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/justice-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Justice for All Workers: Learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa
Learn how Australia's Workplace Justice Visa protects exploited migrant workers and what lessons the UK can take to improve labour rights.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
1/3 Two webinars. Two days. Two important conversations about putting workers’ rights into practice. Both events are online and free to attend. First up tomorrow: Justice for All Workers—learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Employer-sponsored visas can make it harder to leave harmful jobs or report exploitation. Join our Workplace Justice Visa webinar with the TUC on 29 September: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/justice-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Justice for All Workers: Learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa
Learn how Australia's Workplace Justice Visa protects exploited migrant workers and what lessons the UK can take to improve labour rights.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Settlement reforms must not punish workers. FLEX welcomes trade unions’ call for the Government to reconsider proposals that could keep some migrant workers on employer-dependent visas for 15+ years. www.ft.com/content/8a00...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
📢 New research project With Voice of Domestic Workers and CAS Analytics, we’re launching participatory research with migrant domestic and horticulture workers to explore barriers to reporting and the safeguards workers need to report abuse safely. Read more: labourexploitation.org/news/new-res...
labourexploitation.org
New research project: Making reporting safer with migrant domestic and horticulture workers
FLEX, Voice of Domestic Workers and CAS Analytics have launched a participatory research project exploring how reporting can be made safer and fairer for migrant workers in the UK’s domestic work and ...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The UK should introduce a Workplace Justice Visa so workers can seek redress without risking their immigration status. Join our webinar on lessons from Australia: (www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/justice-fo...)
theguardian.com
Care workers and others fleeing UK modern slavery win visa reprieve
Home Office concedes skilled workers abused by sponsors can change employer and complete visa term
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Workers should be able to change employer within their sector at any point—not only after exploitation. This would reduce dependency and power imbalances, helping workers challenge poor conditions before exploitation escalates to modern slavery.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
1/3 Care workers and other Skilled Worker visa holders recognised as victims of modern slavery will be able to change employer. But protection must begin before exploitation occurs. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Care workers and others fleeing UK modern slavery win visa reprieve
Home Office concedes skilled workers abused by sponsors can change employer and complete visa term
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
To make sure all workers can challenge exploitation, more flexible visas should be complemented by a Workplace Justice Visa, giving workers practical options to leave exploitative employment and seek redress without jeopardising their immigration status. /end www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/justice-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Justice for All Workers: Learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa
Learn how Australia's Workplace Justice Visa protects exploited migrant workers and what lessons the UK can take to improve labour rights.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Allowing workers to change employer within their sector at any point would reduce the dependency and power imbalance that can enable exploitation in the first place, and give workers greater ability to challenge poor conditions before exploitation escalates to modern slavery. /2
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Greater labour mobility should not only be a remedy for victims of exploitation, but a preventative measure available to all workers. Simply allowing victims to change employer once exploitation has occurred is not sufficient /1 www.theguardian.com/world/2026/s...
theguardian.com
Care workers and others fleeing UK modern slavery win visa reprieve
Home Office concedes skilled workers abused by sponsors can change employer and complete visa term
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
What can the UK learn from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa? Join FLEX and the TUC to explore how migrant workers can report exploitation and pursue justice without risking their immigration status. 📅 29 Sept | 9:30–11am | Online Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/justice-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Justice for All Workers: Learning from Australia’s Workplace Justice Visa
Learn how Australia's Workplace Justice Visa protects exploited migrant workers and what lessons the UK can take to improve labour rights.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Outsourced warehouse workers in the East Midlands shared their experiences and ideas with FLEX, helping shape practical recommendations to improve conditions in logistics supply chains. Thanks to DUWC for facilitating the session. Fair work starts with listening—and acting. #FairWork
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
How can workers’ experiences shape business decisions? Join FLEX as we launch our new learning report on worker-centred human rights due diligence in outsourced services and share lessons from five years of work. 30 Sept | 10–11am BST | Online Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-seat-at-...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Another article on our joint letter to the Home Secretary calling for urgent reforms to protect migrant fishers in the UK. Read the full letter here 👇 labourexploitation.org/publications... thefishingdaily.com/uk-fishing-i...
thefishingdaily.com
UK Migrant Fisher Visa Call Amid Exploitation Concerns - UK Fishing Industry - The Fishing Daily - Irish, UK and European Fishing Industry News
Migrant fisher visa call grows amid exploitation concerns as UK groups urge action on fishing labour rights and reform
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Our joint letter sets out the 10 key reforms that are essential to improving labour standards and protecting workers’ rights across the UK fishing industry. @itfglobalunion.bsky.social
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"Stella Maris has seen the lasting human cost when people are left vulnerable to exploitation." Tim Hill, Stella Maris Org CEO and National Director. Read our joint letter to the Home Secretary: labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org
Exploitation of migrant fishers in the UK fishing industry: Joint Letter to the Home Secretary
This joint letter was issued to the Home Secretary as a follow up to a joint letter sent in November 2024 to raise concerns about the serious human rights abuses experienced by many migrant workers in...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Want to know about some of our most recent work? Read our latest newsletter here 👇 labourexploitation.org/news/july-ne... #construction #outsourcing #fishing #ImmigrationandAsylumBill #decentwork
labourexploitation.org
July 2026 Newsletter: A new briefing, workers define fair work for themselves and more
New FLEX briefing examines structural issues and solutions for the UK’s high-risk construction sector If the UK is to meet its housebuilding goals, hundreds of thousands more workers will be needed in...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
@itfglobalunion.bsky.social
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Today, we sent a joint letter to the Government and the Fair Work Agency calling for urgent action to end the systemic exploitation of migrant fishers in the UK. These abuses require a coordinated cross-government response. Read the letter here 👇 labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org
Exploitation of migrant fishers in the UK fishing industry: Joint Letter to the Home Secretary
This joint letter was issued to the Home Secretary as a follow up to a join letter sent in November 2024 to raise concerns about the serious human rights abuses experienced by many migrant workers in ...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
We continue to push for improved labour standards and protection of workers’ rights across the UK fishing industry. Hear from our Policy Officer, Oska Paul and Chris Williamson @itfglobalunion.bsky.social at @nourishscotland.bsky.social event. Sign up here👇 www.tickettailor.com/events/nouri...
tickettailor.com
Select Tickets – Fish+ in a Good Food Nation: Livelihoods at Sea – Zoom
Fish+ in a Good Food Nation: Livelihoods at Sea – Zoom, Fri 7 Aug 2026 - Aquatic foods (or fish+ as we like to call them) often get left out of food systems policy and practice. This masks the opportu...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 13/07/2026
In March 2025, Gov made an initial £625 million funding package for up to 60,000 more skilled construction workers by 2029. "Strong Foundations" sets out what is needed to ensure new migration pathways support, rather than undermine, labour standards. labourexploitation.org/publications...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
The UK fishing industry relies on migrant fishers but many are recruited through a loophole that leaves them vulnerable to exploitation. A dedicated fishing visa is urgently needed. Read this piece by Oska Paul, our Policy Officer 👇 @freemovement.bsky.social freemovement.org.uk/case-for-a-d...
freemovement.org.uk
The case for a dedicated UK fishing visa - Free Movement
A fishing visa would provide a lawful route for recruitment and ensure that fishers have access to the rights afforded to other workers in the UK.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
We are proud to be a signatory on this joint statement, which urges parliamentarians to oppose the Immigration and Asylum Bill and for the government to change course. Read the full joint statement 👇 labourexploitation.org/news/immigra... @atleu.bsky.social @antislavery.org
labourexploitation.org
Immigration and Asylum Bill: Joint Statement
The new Immigration and Asylum Bill will damage modern slavery protections The Immigration and Asylum Bill will significantly weaken the UK’s response to trafficking and modern slavery. It will deny p...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
The Immigration and Asylum Bill, published yesterday, is a stark reminder that the UK's immigration system continues to be shaped by cruelty rather than protection. We will continue to work with allies to challenge this approach and advocate for a change in direction. www.gov.uk/government/n...
gov.uk
Mahmood: My reforms will save the asylum system for a generation
New safe and legal refugee routes, alongside reforms to human rights and modern slavery laws, to prevent abuse of the asylum system.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Making it harder for migrant workers to settle is not only bad for workers, it's also bad for the UK. It risks increasing dependency,insecurity and labour abuse in high risk sectors for all workers. Yesterday👉🏽 theguardian.com/uk-news/2026... Our briefing 👇 labourexploitation.org/publications...
theguardian.com
Shabana Mahmood’s immigration and asylum bill to go before MPs next week
Refugee charities fear controversial changes, including on forced removals and age checks, are being rushed through
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Reposted by Focus on Labour Exploitation
Migrant Voice @migrantvoice.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
DATE FOR YOUR DIARY 🗓️ Join us in Glasgow on June 20 for the launch our exhibition ‘Outside In’, featuring the beautiful and inspiring work of migrant photographers, documenting how people from different nations and what they bring to Scotland.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
This International Domestic Workers Day, we call on the UK government to reinstate the original domestic worker visa and the corresponding rights. #internationaldomesticworkerday #IDWD #domesticworkers #migrantworkersrights #
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Natalie Sedacca @nataliesedacca.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
New on @labourblog.bsky.social : how “transit loophole” treats migrant fishing workers as if not legally present in the UK, with lack of immigration status creating structural vulnerability and denial of labour rights uklabourlawblog.com/2026/06/16/s... - by Angeli Romero @focusonlabour.bsky.social
uklabourlawblog.com
Safe Harbour: Dismantling the Legal Fiction of the Transit Loophole – by Angeli Romero
Image by Detmold from Pixabay 1. Introduction Over the last three decades, the UK fishing industry has faced a steady decline in full-time, domestic fishers – a trend largely attributed to the diff…
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Happy International Domestic Workers Day. Solidarity to all domestic workers and support for the ongoing struggle for recognition as workers with access to rights in practice. @kalayaan.org.uk @voiceofdws.bsky.social
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Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit @atleu.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
(1/2) The theme of this #RefugeeWeek is ‘#courage’. So we wanted to take a moment to highlight the most courageous people we know. Having experienced human trafficking and migration, our changemakers are now fighting for the rights of others who have been through the same.
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Women for Refugee Women @4refugeewomen.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Today is the first day of Refugee Week. This week and every week, we stand alongside refugee women - championing their strength, amplifying their voices, and keeping their lived experiences at the heart of everything we do. Today and every day: Refugees welcome! 💜🧡
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Helen Bamber Foundation 🧡 @helenbamber.org · 15/06/2026
This #RefugeeWeek we stand with people seeking protection in the UK🧡 The theme this year is 'courage' and at Helen Bamber Foundation, we will keep fighting for the rights of refugees, people seeking asylum, survivors of trafficking and torture. #Courage
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Insightful and inspiring to hear from the speakers today. A key takeaway...there is still hope. @kalayaan.org.uk @voiceofdws.bsky.social
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
📢 Job Vacancy at FLEX! 🔹Communications Officer🔹 Apply by 21st June 👇 labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp... Looking for meaningful communications work? Join the FLEX Team to help change the story on workers' rights. #job #jobvacancy #charitycomms #comms
labourexploitation.org
Job opportunities
Current vacancies: Communications Officer Job title: Communications OfficerLocation: FLEX office, Vauxhall, London – currently operating flexible hybrid working with a mixture of in-person and remote ...
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Reposted by Focus on Labour Exploitation
Kalayaan @kalayaan.org.uk · 10/06/2026
Join us, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner + migrant domestic workers for a webinar on Friday 12 June at 3pm to learn how the Overseas Domestic Worker visa is failing domestic workers 💻Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi... @focusonlabour.bsky.social @freedomunitedhq.bsky.social
us02web.zoom.us
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Broken Promises: The visa policy that fails migrant domestic workers. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
Join us and learn directly from people with experience of living under the current visa rules for overseas domestic workers in the UK. With the help of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, we’ll...
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Reposted by Focus on Labour Exploitation
International Transport Workers' Federation @itfglobalunion.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
A BBC investigation has uncovered shocking allegations of abuse aboard a Scottish fishing vessel. ITF Fisheries Section Coordinator Chris Williams warns, there is a "structural, systemic problem" in the recruitment of migrant workers in the fishing industry. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
He told us we were slaves - The fight for justice on a Scottish fishing trawler
The migrant fishermen who waited nine years to give evidence about the company that exploited them.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Only a few days until International Domestic Workers Day. We look forward to celebrating with domestic workers around the world as we continue to work with migrant domestic workers in the UK for a visa which enables access to rights in practice. @voiceofdws.bsky.social @kalayaan.org.uk
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
BID found that more than half of respondents were forced to navigate the legal system alone. Detention Taskforce have briefed on the barriers to disclosure navigating the immigration process labourexploitation.org/publications... @medicaljustice.org.uk
labourexploitation.org
Barriers to Disclosure: A survivor of trafficking’s journey through the immigration process
Some in Government insist that modern slavery claims are being used to get in the way of deportation attempts. This narrative misses that in fact, claims of experiencing modern slavery are met with hu...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Research by @biddetention.bsky.social shows dire state of access to legal advice in immigration detention Only 27% of respondents to the Spring 2026 Legal Advice Survey had a lawyer www.biduk.org/articles/new... Inevitably a lack of legal advice impacts trafficking disclosure
biduk.org
New Research: Access to Legal Advice in Immigration Detention Falls to Record Low
Access to legal representation for people held in immigration detention has reached the lowest level ever recorded.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
In our recent publication Voices from the Deck we reflect on the experiences of migrant fishers to set out the case for a fishing visa labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org
Voices from the Deck: The Workers’ Rights Case for a UK Fishing Visa
Following the publication of Unravelling the Nets, which analysed seafarer and fishing-related visa and entry clearance policies in the UK and their impact on migrant fishers, this report shifts the f...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 08/06/2026
This case underlines the urgent need for proactive monitoring and labour market enforcement action in fishing. This should be combined with the creation of a fishing work visa which would give migrant fishers options to exercise rights in practice. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Skipper admits failure to provide food and rest for seamen
The boat skipper Tom Nicholson Jr pled guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to an offence under maritime health and safety regulations.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Find out more about the job and how to apply here: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
labourexploitation.org
Job opportunities
Current vacancies: Communications Officer Job title: Communications OfficerLocation: FLEX office, Vauxhall, London – currently operating flexible hybrid working with a mixture of in-person and remote ...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Job Opportunity: Communications Officer Come join the FLEX team, working with colleagues across the organisation to produce content, manage digital communications channels, strengthen the organisation’s profile, and support media and stakeholder engagement.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Read the report here: labourexploitation.org/publications...
labourexploitation.org
Voices from the Deck: The Workers’ Rights Case for a UK Fishing Visa
Following the publication of Unravelling the Nets, which analysed seafarer and fishing-related visa and entry clearance policies in the UK and their impact on migrant fishers, this report shifts the f...
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
This report threads these experiences together to show that vulnerability comes from the structures themselves. To address these systemic risks, we present the case for a dedicated UK fishing visa which enables migrant fishers to access rights as workers in practice.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
From unfeasible working hours without rest, to extreme weather conditions, to contractual grey areas perpetuating risks of exploitation, the experiences migrant fishers tell us must inform urgent policy decisions.
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
🚨 New FLEX Report 🚨 Too often, migrant fishers' lived experiences are not part of the conversation. In "Voices from the Deck: The Workers’ Rights Case for a UK Fishing Visa", we bring their perspectives to the forefront. The stories they tell paint a clear picture:
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Focus on Labour Exploitation @focusonlabour.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Read the report here: www.antislaverycommissioner.co.uk/news-insight...
antislaverycommissioner.co.uk
New Report: Anticipating Exploitation: A Futures Analysis | Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner
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