A report by the charity Unseen has revealed the prevalence of exploitation in the hospitality sector during the period between January 2024 and June 2025.
According to the report, entitled Service Not Servitude: Modern Slavery in the Hospitality Sector, 485 potential victims of modern slavery were working in food and drink establishments and 85 in holiday accommodation. Unseen says that the findings highlight a growing problem with Skilled Worker visas being linked to exploitation.
The report highlights that the hospitality sector is showing “the same characteristics” of exploitation first seen in the UK care sector in 2022. The charity’s helpline has also seen a sharp rise in labour abuse in hospitality, with potential victims increasing by 60% between 2023 and 2024. Issues included underpayment of wages, excessive hours and workplace harassment.
What should be included in a modern slavery statement?
Justine Carter, Deputy CEO at Unseen said: “There is a large disparity between what is promised to workers and the reality once they arrive in the UK. Many are charged illegal fees, forced into substandard housing, and threatened with deportation if they speak up.”
Large organisations that meet certain criteria are legally required to publish an annual modern slavery statement within six months of the organisation’s financial year-end. This means that the deadline for organisations whose financial year ended on 31 March 2025 is 30 September 2025.
Smaller organisations are encouraged by current government guidance to voluntarily publish a statement as they will often fall within the supply chain of larger organisations, who may wish to view this statement as part of their anti-slavery strategy.
