McDonald’s and big supermarkets failed to spot slavery

A recent investigation by the BBC has revealed that signs of modern slavery at a McDonald’s branch and a factory supplying bread products to major UK supermarkets were missed for years, allowing a gang to exploit 16 victims from the Czech Republic.

The victims were forced to work at either the fast-food restaurant or the factory, which supplied Asda, Co-op, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose. Shockingly, well-established signs of slavery, such as paying the wages of four men into one bank account, were overlooked during the exploitation that lasted for over four years.

McDonald’s UK has since stated that they have implemented improved systems to spot potential risks in the future. The British Retail Consortium has also responded, indicating that its members will learn from this case to prevent similar instances from occurring in the future.

The discovery of this slavery operation highlights the importance of vigilance and thorough monitoring within supply chains, to ensure that workers are not being exploited and forced into labor against their will. It serves as a stark reminder of the need for continued efforts to combat modern slavery in all forms.