Focus on Labour Exploitation
@focusonlabour.bsky.social
Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) is a research and policy organisation working towards an end to labour exploitation.
Last week, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the Omnibus I package, voting to further weaken the corporate sustainability package by watering down company obligations and reducing the number of businesses required to report on their sustainability.
November 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Last week, the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on the Omnibus I package, voting to further weaken the corporate sustainability package by watering down company obligations and reducing the number of businesses required to report on their sustainability.
In our latest briefing, FLEX applies its blueprint for migration systems to migrant agriculture workers in the UK.
Our conclusion: overhaul the Seasonal Worker Scheme, and introduce essential changes to ensure workers' safety and dignity.
Our conclusion: overhaul the Seasonal Worker Scheme, and introduce essential changes to ensure workers' safety and dignity.
November 12, 2025 at 4:01 PM
In our latest briefing, FLEX applies its blueprint for migration systems to migrant agriculture workers in the UK.
Our conclusion: overhaul the Seasonal Worker Scheme, and introduce essential changes to ensure workers' safety and dignity.
Our conclusion: overhaul the Seasonal Worker Scheme, and introduce essential changes to ensure workers' safety and dignity.
This #TrusteesWeek we are thanking the FLEX Trustees that steer and support our organisation.
As well as supporting FLEX, our Trustees also do incredible work too, from pioneering legal cases to breakthroughs on social care.
As well as supporting FLEX, our Trustees also do incredible work too, from pioneering legal cases to breakthroughs on social care.
November 3, 2025 at 4:16 PM
This #TrusteesWeek we are thanking the FLEX Trustees that steer and support our organisation.
As well as supporting FLEX, our Trustees also do incredible work too, from pioneering legal cases to breakthroughs on social care.
As well as supporting FLEX, our Trustees also do incredible work too, from pioneering legal cases to breakthroughs on social care.
We’re working with Peers on the latest immigration bill to ensure that migrant workers can report labour abuses without fear of deportation: labourexploitation.org/publications...
Why is this needed?
Why is this needed?
October 31, 2025 at 9:09 AM
We’re working with Peers on the latest immigration bill to ensure that migrant workers can report labour abuses without fear of deportation: labourexploitation.org/publications...
Why is this needed?
Why is this needed?
Read our joint briefing on her amendment to the latest immigration bill here: labourexploitation.org/app/uploads/...
@lawrsuk.bsky.social, @workrights.bsky.social, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social, @focusonlabour.bsky.social #LEAG #SecureReporting
@lawrsuk.bsky.social, @workrights.bsky.social, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social, @focusonlabour.bsky.social #LEAG #SecureReporting
October 29, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Read our joint briefing on her amendment to the latest immigration bill here: labourexploitation.org/app/uploads/...
@lawrsuk.bsky.social, @workrights.bsky.social, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social, @focusonlabour.bsky.social #LEAG #SecureReporting
@lawrsuk.bsky.social, @workrights.bsky.social, @ilpaimmigration.bsky.social, @focusonlabour.bsky.social #LEAG #SecureReporting
This week, our team spent two days in Brussels with the @picumofficial.bsky.social network, sharing perspectives and discussing what works when it comes to meaningfully engaging people with lived experience.
October 23, 2025 at 12:22 PM
This week, our team spent two days in Brussels with the @picumofficial.bsky.social network, sharing perspectives and discussing what works when it comes to meaningfully engaging people with lived experience.
Last night's BBC Radio 4 feature Abused for Our Food looked at the exploitation of agriculture workers.
The evidence base is clear: short-term, restrictive visas create systematic risks of exploitation. Seasonal migrant workers need better conditions, and safe means to report abuse.
The evidence base is clear: short-term, restrictive visas create systematic risks of exploitation. Seasonal migrant workers need better conditions, and safe means to report abuse.
October 22, 2025 at 9:20 AM
Last night's BBC Radio 4 feature Abused for Our Food looked at the exploitation of agriculture workers.
The evidence base is clear: short-term, restrictive visas create systematic risks of exploitation. Seasonal migrant workers need better conditions, and safe means to report abuse.
The evidence base is clear: short-term, restrictive visas create systematic risks of exploitation. Seasonal migrant workers need better conditions, and safe means to report abuse.
This weekend @focusonlabour.bsky.social staff met with Voice of Domestic Workers to discuss the intersecting challenges of employment and migration.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
October 20, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This weekend @focusonlabour.bsky.social staff met with Voice of Domestic Workers to discuss the intersecting challenges of employment and migration.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
We also looked at how the government's upcoming Fair Work Agency needs to work, for domestic workers to be able to work without risk of exploitation.
This #AntiSlaveryDay, preventing labour exploitation for migrant workers must be at the top of the workers’ rights agenda.
This requires not small tweaks, but understanding and resolving the systematic barriers to reporting and tackling exploitation.
Watch our latest video:
This requires not small tweaks, but understanding and resolving the systematic barriers to reporting and tackling exploitation.
Watch our latest video:
October 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
This #AntiSlaveryDay, preventing labour exploitation for migrant workers must be at the top of the workers’ rights agenda.
This requires not small tweaks, but understanding and resolving the systematic barriers to reporting and tackling exploitation.
Watch our latest video:
This requires not small tweaks, but understanding and resolving the systematic barriers to reporting and tackling exploitation.
Watch our latest video:
We know that workers on the Seasonal Worker Scheme often have to pay to work, from travel costs to illegal fees.
These changes bounce workers back and forth, with accumulating migration costs and increased risk.
Workers should simply be able to renew their visas if work is available.
These changes bounce workers back and forth, with accumulating migration costs and increased risk.
Workers should simply be able to renew their visas if work is available.
October 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
We know that workers on the Seasonal Worker Scheme often have to pay to work, from travel costs to illegal fees.
These changes bounce workers back and forth, with accumulating migration costs and increased risk.
Workers should simply be able to renew their visas if work is available.
These changes bounce workers back and forth, with accumulating migration costs and increased risk.
Workers should simply be able to renew their visas if work is available.
When women on the Seasonal Worker Scheme were asked if they had ever been paid lower than promised, 27% said yes. 16% of men said the same.
That isn't just a blip. The government must address the ways that women on the scheme are pushed to the margins of an already-precarious workforce.
That isn't just a blip. The government must address the ways that women on the scheme are pushed to the margins of an already-precarious workforce.
October 8, 2025 at 2:34 PM
When women on the Seasonal Worker Scheme were asked if they had ever been paid lower than promised, 27% said yes. 16% of men said the same.
That isn't just a blip. The government must address the ways that women on the scheme are pushed to the margins of an already-precarious workforce.
That isn't just a blip. The government must address the ways that women on the scheme are pushed to the margins of an already-precarious workforce.
FLEX delivered training to Voice of Domestic Workers this weekend, as part of its training programme.
Want to hear more about our training and what attendees thought? Read here: labourexploitation.org/news/flex-tr...
Want to hear more about our training and what attendees thought? Read here: labourexploitation.org/news/flex-tr...
September 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM
FLEX delivered training to Voice of Domestic Workers this weekend, as part of its training programme.
Want to hear more about our training and what attendees thought? Read here: labourexploitation.org/news/flex-tr...
Want to hear more about our training and what attendees thought? Read here: labourexploitation.org/news/flex-tr...
Thank you to Lord Watson, @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social and other Peers for your words and for backing this vital amendment.
To learn more about this issue, read FLEX's briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
To learn more about this issue, read FLEX's briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
September 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Thank you to Lord Watson, @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social and other Peers for your words and for backing this vital amendment.
To learn more about this issue, read FLEX's briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
To learn more about this issue, read FLEX's briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
As a reminder, @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social talks through the state of rights of workers in the fishing sector.
For those non-EU migrant workers on the Code 7 Stamp, they are left unable to access support for any of this, from reporting workplace abuse to even getting medical attention.
For those non-EU migrant workers on the Code 7 Stamp, they are left unable to access support for any of this, from reporting workplace abuse to even getting medical attention.
September 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
As a reminder, @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social talks through the state of rights of workers in the fishing sector.
For those non-EU migrant workers on the Code 7 Stamp, they are left unable to access support for any of this, from reporting workplace abuse to even getting medical attention.
For those non-EU migrant workers on the Code 7 Stamp, they are left unable to access support for any of this, from reporting workplace abuse to even getting medical attention.
As the Lords debate the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, Lord Watson proposed a vital amendment to make migrant fishers safer.
The government must address the Code 7 Stamp loophole that creates systematic risk of exploitation.
The government must address the Code 7 Stamp loophole that creates systematic risk of exploitation.
September 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
As the Lords debate the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, Lord Watson proposed a vital amendment to make migrant fishers safer.
The government must address the Code 7 Stamp loophole that creates systematic risk of exploitation.
The government must address the Code 7 Stamp loophole that creates systematic risk of exploitation.
OPPORTUNITY:
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
September 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
OPPORTUNITY:
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
We are recruiting a Director of Operations, to lead the development and smooth running of the systems, processes, and culture that enables FLEX to deliver its mission effectively.
For more details on the role and how to apply, go to: labourexploitation.org/about-us/opp...
For too long, the issues women workers on the Seasonal Worker Scheme experience have gone ignored.
Our latest briefing directly confronts the realities that migrant women are facing in the fields.
Read the briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
Our latest briefing directly confronts the realities that migrant women are facing in the fields.
Read the briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
August 20, 2025 at 11:06 AM
For too long, the issues women workers on the Seasonal Worker Scheme experience have gone ignored.
Our latest briefing directly confronts the realities that migrant women are facing in the fields.
Read the briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
Our latest briefing directly confronts the realities that migrant women are facing in the fields.
Read the briefing: labourexploitation.org/publications...
For some workers, hot weather spells bad news.
Workers in dark kitchens already face unbearable conditions, even fainting due to the heat and lack of ventilation.
There is an urgent need for regulations on maximum working temperatures to be introduced and effectively enforced.
Workers in dark kitchens already face unbearable conditions, even fainting due to the heat and lack of ventilation.
There is an urgent need for regulations on maximum working temperatures to be introduced and effectively enforced.
August 13, 2025 at 3:33 PM
For some workers, hot weather spells bad news.
Workers in dark kitchens already face unbearable conditions, even fainting due to the heat and lack of ventilation.
There is an urgent need for regulations on maximum working temperatures to be introduced and effectively enforced.
Workers in dark kitchens already face unbearable conditions, even fainting due to the heat and lack of ventilation.
There is an urgent need for regulations on maximum working temperatures to be introduced and effectively enforced.
We’re conducting research into the experiences of Filipinos in the UK fishing industry, and want to speak to fishermen about their experiences.
Share the opportunity, or get in touch!
Share the opportunity, or get in touch!
August 5, 2025 at 8:22 AM
We’re conducting research into the experiences of Filipinos in the UK fishing industry, and want to speak to fishermen about their experiences.
Share the opportunity, or get in touch!
Share the opportunity, or get in touch!
Have you signed up to the FLEX newsletter?
Be the first to hear about our reports, analysis and work, straight to your inbox.
Sign up here: mailchi.mp/fcb3b8c1221c...
Be the first to hear about our reports, analysis and work, straight to your inbox.
Sign up here: mailchi.mp/fcb3b8c1221c...
July 31, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Have you signed up to the FLEX newsletter?
Be the first to hear about our reports, analysis and work, straight to your inbox.
Sign up here: mailchi.mp/fcb3b8c1221c...
Be the first to hear about our reports, analysis and work, straight to your inbox.
Sign up here: mailchi.mp/fcb3b8c1221c...
Our blueprint for safer and fairer migration for low-paid workers is grounded on three pillars of protection, creating indispensable rights and options:
1. Fair visa conditions
2. Worker safeguards
3. Clear, accessible systems
1. Fair visa conditions
2. Worker safeguards
3. Clear, accessible systems
July 28, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Our blueprint for safer and fairer migration for low-paid workers is grounded on three pillars of protection, creating indispensable rights and options:
1. Fair visa conditions
2. Worker safeguards
3. Clear, accessible systems
1. Fair visa conditions
2. Worker safeguards
3. Clear, accessible systems
Photo from our training workshop with West London @citizensuk.org members at St. Anselm’s church in Southall last month, where we looked at exploitation in the workplace and what rights we have.
Thank you to @citybridgefndn.bsky.social for helping fund this upskilling programme for Londoners.
Thank you to @citybridgefndn.bsky.social for helping fund this upskilling programme for Londoners.
July 24, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Photo from our training workshop with West London @citizensuk.org members at St. Anselm’s church in Southall last month, where we looked at exploitation in the workplace and what rights we have.
Thank you to @citybridgefndn.bsky.social for helping fund this upskilling programme for Londoners.
Thank you to @citybridgefndn.bsky.social for helping fund this upskilling programme for Londoners.
New Report: FLEX's latest looks at the experiences of workers in dark kitchens, the delivery-only kitchens across the UK that produce thousands of meals every day behind closed doors.
From sweltering temperatures to cramped spaces, their experiences are cause for concern.
From sweltering temperatures to cramped spaces, their experiences are cause for concern.
July 22, 2025 at 10:00 AM
New Report: FLEX's latest looks at the experiences of workers in dark kitchens, the delivery-only kitchens across the UK that produce thousands of meals every day behind closed doors.
From sweltering temperatures to cramped spaces, their experiences are cause for concern.
From sweltering temperatures to cramped spaces, their experiences are cause for concern.
Deadline: Monday!
FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK. Last chance to apply!
FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK. Last chance to apply!
July 17, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Deadline: Monday!
FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK. Last chance to apply!
FLEX is looking for a passionate advocate to build networks and relationships, and improve law, policy and practice affecting worker in high-risk sectors in the UK. Last chance to apply!
Today the government confirmed "major immigration reforms delivered to restore order and control".
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...
July 1, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Today the government confirmed "major immigration reforms delivered to restore order and control".
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...
The reality of these reforms? Chaos for people's lives, undermining workers' rights, and driving exploitation.
Read FLEX's emergency analysis here: labourexploitation.org/news/emergen...