The LGA has said estimates of the number of victims of modern slavery in the UK range from 13,000 to more than 130,000EPA
The LGA has said estimates of the number of victims of modern slavery in the UK range from 13,000 to more than 130,000EPA
The LGA has said estimates of the number of victims of modern slavery in the UK range from 13,000 to more than 130,000EPA
The LGA has said estimates of the number of victims of modern slavery in the UK range from 13,000 to more than 130,000EPA

Europe

New fears for child slaves in England as coronavirus economy slumps

Fears even more children could be forced into modern slavery this year as businesses struggle amid continuing pandemic

Callum Paton

July 30, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

As coronavirus restrictions are lifted in the UK, authorities are concerned that children could be further exploited by modern slavery after the number of referrals made to England's local councils soared over the past five years.

Referrals of suspected child victims of slavery in England have increased by 1,400 per cent in five years, putting children's services under growing and significant pressure, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned.

England's national membership body for local councils has simultaneously raised concerns that the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions could lead to more exploitation as businesses reopen.

Many businesses emerging from lockdown may lack money to pay staff and could take advantage of people who have been made more vulnerable by the pandemic.

The closing of certain high-risk businesses such as nail bars has left trafficking victims further removed from the public eye and harder to identify and rescue, the LGA said.

This photograph titled 'Blue Hand' shows a man enslaved in illegal gold mining in Ghana. "They are forced to spend 48 to 72 hours deep in the mines shafts," says Lisa Kristine, an American photographer who spent years documenting modern day slavery around the world. Photos: Lisa Kristine.
This photograph titled 'Blue Hand' shows a man enslaved in illegal gold mining in Ghana. "They are forced to spend 48 to 72 hours deep in the mines shafts," says Lisa Kristine, an American photographer who spent years documenting modern day slavery around the world. Photos: Lisa Kristine.
'Price by Gold'. Kristine says: "Most of these boys and men come from northern Ghana hoping to strike it rich working at legal mines. When they can’t get a job, they borrow money at usurious interest rates or join teams of slaves known as gangs. The gangs work in areas abandoned by big companies. They can only sell their gold to the moneylender at a price he sets. They are trapped by illegal, fictitious debt, and are often hunted by local police and private security guards for trespassing. Many of them talk about wanting to escape. Some of them believe they will become rich if they work just a little longer and harder."
'Price by Gold'. Kristine says: "Most of these boys and men come from northern Ghana hoping to strike it rich working at legal mines. When they can’t get a job, they borrow money at usurious interest rates or join teams of slaves known as gangs. The gangs work in areas abandoned by big companies. They can only sell their gold to the moneylender at a price he sets. They are trapped by illegal, fictitious debt, and are often hunted by local police and private security guards for trespassing. Many of them talk about wanting to escape. Some of them believe they will become rich if they work just a little longer and harder."
'Stacking'. In the brick kilns of India and Nepal, men, women and children are all involved in the process of making bricks. "They suck dust into their lungs all day, every day," says Kristine.
'Stacking'. In the brick kilns of India and Nepal, men, women and children are all involved in the process of making bricks. "They suck dust into their lungs all day, every day," says Kristine.
'Stratum'. Kristine says: "Entire families are in bonded labour slavery. Often, families get a loan for an emergency or to pay a broker a fee for getting hired on a new job. Slaveholders, the only people near with any money to lend, trick the borrowers into slavery through illegal, exorbitant interest rates that are impossible to repay. Children inherit the bogus debt from their parents. Generations of families have been enslaved for a loan of just $18."
'Stratum'. Kristine says: "Entire families are in bonded labour slavery. Often, families get a loan for an emergency or to pay a broker a fee for getting hired on a new job. Slaveholders, the only people near with any money to lend, trick the borrowers into slavery through illegal, exorbitant interest rates that are impossible to repay. Children inherit the bogus debt from their parents. Generations of families have been enslaved for a loan of just $18."
'Pillars'. "Slaveholders burned down the homes of these villagers when they declared their freedom," says Kristine. "Many villagers wanted to give up. The women in front rallied their frightened neighbors and led them to freedom. Grassroots activists helped the village get a quarry lease of their own. The women say, 'This is our quarry, we are the owners, we will never go back to slavery again.' They do the same backbreaking work, but they get paid and they do it for themselves, in freedom. It makes all the difference in the world."
'Pillars'. "Slaveholders burned down the homes of these villagers when they declared their freedom," says Kristine. "Many villagers wanted to give up. The women in front rallied their frightened neighbors and led them to freedom. Grassroots activists helped the village get a quarry lease of their own. The women say, 'This is our quarry, we are the owners, we will never go back to slavery again.' They do the same backbreaking work, but they get paid and they do it for themselves, in freedom. It makes all the difference in the world."
'Threads' by Lisa Kristine. Speaking about the subject of the photograph, she says: "He is more than 50 years old and is enslaved weaving carpets to pay off a modest loan he took 12 years ago. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be free to work for someone else."
'Threads' by Lisa Kristine. Speaking about the subject of the photograph, she says: "He is more than 50 years old and is enslaved weaving carpets to pay off a modest loan he took 12 years ago. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be free to work for someone else."
In the Himalayas, Lisa Kristine captured these brothers carrying slate down the mountainside. Below, trucks are waiting to take the slate and eventually sell it. “We all knowingly or unknowingly participate in slavery every day," said Kristine at a conference in London, noting that the slate these boys are carrying may be used in our homes.
In the Himalayas, Lisa Kristine captured these brothers carrying slate down the mountainside. Below, trucks are waiting to take the slate and eventually sell it. “We all knowingly or unknowingly participate in slavery every day," said Kristine at a conference in London, noting that the slate these boys are carrying may be used in our homes.
In 'Family Portrait', Kristine depicts how slavery can last through generations. The dyed black hands are of the father's, and the blue red and hands are his sons's. Using their bare hands, these silk dyers in an Indian village dip the cloth in barrels filled with toxic dye.
In 'Family Portrait', Kristine depicts how slavery can last through generations. The dyed black hands are of the father's, and the blue red and hands are his sons's. Using their bare hands, these silk dyers in an Indian village dip the cloth in barrels filled with toxic dye.
'Currency'. Trafficking is rampant around Ghana's Lake Volta, where children work on fishing boats. "Every kid on the lake knows of another child who died in the nets. Most of the children suffer from skin diseases and parasitic worms. Malaria is common. Medical care is not," says Kristine.
'Currency'. Trafficking is rampant around Ghana's Lake Volta, where children work on fishing boats. "Every kid on the lake knows of another child who died in the nets. Most of the children suffer from skin diseases and parasitic worms. Malaria is common. Medical care is not," says Kristine.
'Fishing Boats' by Kristine, taken in Lake Volta. She says, "The youngest child on this boat is 7; the oldest is 15. It is the end of the day. They have been working since 4am... The nets can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds when they are full."
'Fishing Boats' by Kristine, taken in Lake Volta. She says, "The youngest child on this boat is 7; the oldest is 15. It is the end of the day. They have been working since 4am... The nets can weigh as much as 1,000 pounds when they are full."
'Fishing Nets' by Lisa Kristine. The children are tasked with untangling nets that get caught underwater. Most of the children are not taught how to swim, and a number die from drowning every year.
'Fishing Nets' by Lisa Kristine. The children are tasked with untangling nets that get caught underwater. Most of the children are not taught how to swim, and a number die from drowning every year.

The warnings from the government association follow a report earlier this month that outlined how there may be 10 times the reported number of victims of modern slavery in the UK.

According to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and the slavery support network Justice and Care, there were at least 100,000 victims of modern slavery living in the UK, a figure that far surpasses the 10,000 estimated by a government study in 2017.

The LGA has said estimates of the number of victims of modern slavery in Britain range from 13,000 to more than 130,000, with the overall cost to UK society estimated at between £3.3 billion and £4.3bn (Dh15.8bn to Dh20.5bn).

Former UK home secretary Theresa May made the Modern Slavery Act, passed in 2015, one of her flagship policies before she became prime ministerEPA
Former UK home secretary Theresa May made the Modern Slavery Act, passed in 2015, one of her flagship policies before she became prime ministerEPA

Former UK home secretary Theresa May made the Modern Slavery Act, passed in 2015, one of her flagship policies before she became prime minister.

Since the protections were passed, however, thousands of children have continued to be trafficked in the UK.

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The latest statistics show the number of council referrals of suspected child victims of modern slavery to the National Referral Mechanism – the UK’s framework for referring and supporting victims – has risen from 127 in 2014 to 1,971 last year, a staggering increase of more than 1,400 per cent.

The rate of these child referrals increased by 71 per cent in one year alone, with the number of referrals in 2018 standing at 1,152. Children accounted for 91 per cent of all referrals made by councils in England in 2019.

“Modern slavery is happening in local communities everywhere, with high-street services such as car washes and nail bars being high-risk sectors for exploitation,” Nesil Caliskan, chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said.

“The public should look out for telltale signs, including people who may be dressed inappropriately for the work they are doing, or who appear frightened or withdrawn at work.

“Everyone needs to report any suspicious behaviour to help rescue people living wretched lives under coercion,” he added.

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

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Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')

Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')

Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)

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ENGLAND SQUAD

Joe Root (captain), Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, Dan Lawrence, Ben Stokes, Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes (wicketkeeper), Moeen Ali, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Jack Leach, Stuart Broad

On Women's Day
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  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The biog

Name: Samar Frost

Born: Abu Dhabi

Hobbies: Singing, music and socialising with friends

Favourite singer: Adele

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Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.

•   Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.

•   Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.

•   Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.

•   Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.

•   Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.

•   Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.

•   Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.

•   Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.

What is tokenisation?

Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

On Women's Day
Company Profile
Company name: OneOrder

Started: October 2021

Founders: Tamer Amer and Karim Maurice

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Industry: technology, logistics

Investors: A15 and self-funded 

 


 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Closing the loophole on sugary drinks

As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.

The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.

Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.

Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
 

Not taxed:

Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
'The Ice Road'

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh
Stars: Liam Neeson, Amber Midthunder, Laurence Fishburne

2/5

Our legal columnist

Name: Yousef Al Bahar

Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994

Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers

Other ways to buy used products in the UAE

UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.

Bidders and potential buyers register on the online salvage car auction portal to view vehicles, review condition reports, or arrange physical surveys, and then start bidding for motors they plan to restore or harvest for parts.

Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.

For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.

Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.

At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.

On Women's Day
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The specs: Fenyr SuperSport

Price, base: Dh5.1 million

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo flat-six

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 800hp @ 7,100pm

Torque: 980Nm @ 4,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 13.5L / 100km

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Qais Saied (Independent): 18.4 per cent

Nabil Karoui (Qalb Tounes): 15.58 per cent

Abdelfattah Mourou (Ennahdha party): 12.88 per cent

Abdelkarim Zbidi (two-time defence minister backed by Nidaa Tounes party): 10.7 per cent

Youssef Chahed (former prime minister, leader of Long Live Tunisia): 7.3 per cent

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Kareem Shaheen on Canada

Baby Driver

Director: Edgar Wright

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey, Jamie Foxx, Lily James

Three and a half stars

RESULT

Leeds United 1 Manchester City 1
Leeds: Rodrigo (59')
Man City: Sterling (17')

Man of the Match: Rodrigo Moreno (Leeds)

Mane points for safe home colouring
  • Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
  • Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
  • When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
  • Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
  • If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

MATCH INFO

Real Madrid 3 (Kroos 4', Ramos 30', Marcelo 37')

Eibar 1 (Bigas 60')

'Morbius'

Director: Daniel Espinosa 

Stars: Jared Leto, Matt Smith, Adria Arjona

Rating: 2/5

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