Court finds UK gangmaster liable for modern slavery victims

The Guardian report that a British company has been found liable for the first time for victims of modern slavery in a landmark high court judgment which ruled that the workers were owed compensation.

The Guardian report that a British company has been found liable for the first time for victims of modern slavery in a landmark high court judgment which ruled that the workers were owed compensation. The judge found in favour of six Lithuanian men who were trafficked to the UK and brought a civil case claiming compensation for being exploited by the Kent-based gangmaster firm that employed them. The men were sent by the company to catch chickens on farms around the country. They worked frequently on farms producing eggs for the leading supplier to major supermarkets. The judge ruled that the men were owed compensation for the firm’s failure to pay the agricultural minimum wage, for the charging of prohibited work-finding fees, for unlawfully withholding wages, and for depriving the workers of facilities to wash, rest, eat and drink. The article highlights that it should be seen as a warning that businesses need to make sure modern slavery is eradicated from their supply chains.

Content Note

The aim is to provide summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. In particular, where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are reported, the information does not set out full details of all the facts, the legal arguments presented by the parties and the judgments made in every aspect of the case. Click on the links provided to access full details. If no link is provided contact us for further information. Employment law is subject to constant change either by statute or by interpretation by the courts. While every care has been taken in compiling this information, SM&B cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Specialist legal advice must be taken on any legal issues that may arise before embarking upon any formal course of action.

Read more

Latest News

Read More

How do you coach good decision making?

25 July 2025

Culture

25 July 2025

“ Workplace culture is more than , the way we do things around here. It’s the gap between what we say and what we do....

Culture

24 July 2025

Aspire Pharma is a premier niche generics pharma business, based in the UK with global ambitions, devoted to delivering true value to patients, healthcare professionals...

Newsletter

Receive the latest HR news and strategic content

Please note, as per the GDPR Legislation, we need to ensure you are ‘Opted In’ to receive updates from ‘theHRDIRECTOR’. We will NEVER sell, rent, share or give away your data to third parties. We only use it to send information about our products and updates within the HR space To see our Privacy Policy – click here

Latest HR Jobs

Natural Environment Research Council – NERC – Research and Skill Directorate (Discovery Team)Salary: £36,650 per annum. UKRI Band D This provides summary information and comment

Scholars School SystemSalary: £45,000 to £50,000 This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where employment tribunal and appellate court cases are

University of Sussex – Human Resources Salary: £25,733 to £29,179. Grade 4, per annum, pro rata if part time This provides summary information and comment

University of CambridgeSalary: £12,109 pa (based on FTE £28,381pa) plus pension and benefits This provides summary information and comment on the subject areas covered. Where

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE

Read the latest digital issue of theHRDIRECTOR for FREE