Managing the risks of being a victim of severe labour exploitation: Findings from a research project exploring the views of experts in the UK

The 2015 report published by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) on the severe labour exploitation of workers in the European Union (EU) highlights the need to address the factors that increase the risk of being subjected to exploitative working conditions. This article begins by setting out the principal risks that impact upon an individual’s vulnerability to severe labour exploitation, according to the country data from the 21 EU Member States involved in this project. Then, by focusing on the empirical research conducted in the UK, the article discusses some of the measures, put forward by the UK research participants involved in the study, that could be implemented to manage the risks identified. Based upon the research participants’ recommendations, the authors will draw conclusions on how better to manage the risks of labour exploitation.