UK Border Agency Reveals Fate of Emigrant Workers

www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk

In November of 2008, Eastern European workers, who are now believed to be victims of human trafficking, were finally rescued from a life of impossible work loads. The 76 emigrant workers were said to be working 16 hour days in Lincolnshire fields and then forced to live in very cramped conditions.

In order to bring this to an end, over 200 different officers from over nine organizations step up Operation Ruby. Among the organizations the Northamptonshire Police, Gangmasters Licensing Agency, and the Organized Crime Agency stepped in to do the raid.

After many months, the UK Border Agency has now revealed what has become of these 76 emigrants that were rescued. Out of the 76, 18 of them men (Romanian workers) chose to return home, while others from Hungary, Poland and even Slovakia opted to stay in the UK and find lawful work. None of the men rescued were found to have been working in the country illegally first. All of them had been taken from their home, and thus, were able to choose to stay or leave the UK. The ages of the people who were rescued ranged from as young as 15 to as old as 67. All were treated the same out on the fields.

The UK Border Agency went on to say that any kind of human trafficking, whether it be for sexual exploitation or for forced labor, is just a modern form of slavery and will not be tolerated in the UK. Nine people were finally arrested in connection to the human trafficking charges and were released on police bail while waiting further inquires.

For more information visit: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk