Campaigners worry that the government may be planning to withdraw some protections from victims of trafficking. If it does so, it might be part of a broader crackdown on asylum-seekers
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskDame Sara, a former police officer, says she does not know what has caused the delay. The Home Office says a “recruitment campaign” is under way. But anti-slavery campaigners reckon that the absence of an authority on such matters makes it easier for politicians to voice exaggerated claims about illegal immigration. It could also, they fear, allow the Home Office to pass new laws with insufficient scrutiny.
The Home Office points out, rightly, that immigration and trafficking are closely connected. In recent months, concerns about migrants who cross the Channel inhave focused on Albanians, nationals of a country the department deems “safe”. Between May and September they constituted 42% of those who entered Britain this way.
Champions of the Modern Slavery Act point out that the process by which victims of trafficking get leave to stay in Britain is distinct from the asylum process . Victims of slavery and trafficking are identified by the National Referral Mechanism , a Home Office scheme; people cannot refer themselves. Referrals must come from authorised outfits like the police or the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, which regulates companies that supply agricultural workers.
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