Managing the risks of being a victim of severe labour exploitation: Before and after the Modern Slavery Act 2015

The severe labour exploitation of workers in the European Union can be tackled by addressing the factors that increase the risk of being subjected to exploitative working conditions. This chapter seeks to further elaborate upon this claim by focusing upon the views of experts who have significant involvement in monitoring, tackling and combating labour exploitation in England and Wales. Through the identification of the principal risks that impact upon an individual’s vulnerability to severe labour exploitation, this chapter discusses some of the measures that can be implemented to manage the risks, such as regulation of recruitment agencies, implementation of pre-departure programmes, raising awareness amongst workers of their employment rights and better labour inspection and enforcement of minimum wage legislation. Recommendations are made on how to better manage the risks of labour exploitation, taking into account relevant law and policy developments, such as the development of new immigration and labour market enforcement measures.