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Construction modern slavery report ‘a harrowing reminder’ Investigation into construction modern slavery ring prompts warning that sector faces particular challenges over ethical labour practices
A major new report based on a large-scale police investigation into labour exploitation in construction is a “harrowing reminder” for the sector. Dame Sara Thornton, independent anti-slavery commissioner, launched the report, entitled Operation Cardinas and Beyond: Addressing exploitation risk in the construction sector. Operation Cardinas took down a Romanian organised crime group which infiltrated the supply chains of projects across London and the south east for nearly a decade. The gang put an estimated 300 to 500 victims on to commercial, residential projects between 2009 and 2018. Three members of a
Romanian family were found guilty of modern slavery offences in 2019. Grigore Lupu, then 39, was jailed for 10 years. His older brother Alexandru, 43, received an eightyear sentence while their nephew Valentin, 24, received 10 years. The Lupus recruited their victims in Romania on the promise of decent wages by local standards. But they were tricked into debt and destitution. In total, the Lupus made an estimated £2.4m from the exploitation. One unnamed construction company contacted by police during Operation Cardinas took action to protect modern slavery victims after unwittingly employing 12 victims.
No organisation can afford to be complacent Dame Sara Thornton, independent anti-slavery commissioner
After discussions with police, the company let the workers continue on its sites, allowing the investigation to continue without alerting the traffickers. Its construction director (who wished to remain anonymous) said: “It’s a natural instinct to want to get rid of the risk immediately, but we didn’t want to kick the problem down the road. We felt a moral commitment to the people that were being abused.” The director moved all the victims on to one large project and did not give them work that was too physically arduous, and devised a fake pilot scheme to give workers vouchers in the site canteen. The investigation lasted 18 months, but only four people in the company were aware of what had happened. The construction director said: “Our advice to other organisations is, ask awkward questions. Make sure people are who you think they are. This is a bigger problem than industry realises.” Thornton said: “Construction faces particular challenges in the ethical management of labour. Operation Cardinas is a harrowing reminder that no organisation can afford to be complacent, and that every worker has a role to play in spotting the signs.” ● See Opinion: Caroline Gumble, p13.
CIOB welcomes built environment focus in Queen’s Speech The built environment was a focal point of the Queen’s Speech, which marked the official state opening of parliament on 10 May. Setting out the agenda for the 2022-23 session, the Prince of Wales delivered the speech for the first time.
In total, 38 bills were announced, including legislation to drive sustainable investment in public services and empower local economic growth through regeneration. Five existing bills were also carried over from the 2021-22
session, including the High-Speed Rail (Crewe-Manchester) Bill. CIOB welcomed the focus on the built environment in the legislative programme, and in particular the alignment of net zero and sustainability priorities with the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
Caroline Gumble, CIOB chief executive, said: “CIOB is pleased that the built environment is a focal point for the government’s legislation agenda and will play a pivotal role in addressing the UK’s social, economic and environmental ambitions.
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