Signs of modern slavery at McDonald’s and bread factory missed for years

Chicago: As per reports, Evidence of modern slavery went undetected for years at a McDonald’s branch and a factory supplying bread products to major UK supermarkets. A criminal gang from the Czech Republic exploited 16 victims, forcing them to work at the fast-food restaurant or at the bread factory, which supplied Asda, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, M&S, Waitrose, Co-op, and other major retailers.

Key signs of modern slavery, such as the wages of four men being paid into a single bank account, were overlooked, allowing the exploitation to continue for over four years. The victims, all from the Czech Republic, were trafficked and forced into labour by a family-run human trafficking ring.

Reportedly, McDonald’s UK stated that it has since enhanced its systems to detect "potential risks," and the British Retail Consortium said retailers will learn from this case. Six members of the trafficking network have been convicted in two trials, which were delayed due to the pandemic. Reporting restrictions previously limited coverage of the case, but the full extent of the crimes can now be revealed.

Nine victims were forced to work at the McDonald’s in Caxton, Cambridgeshire, while nine others were forced to work at a bread factory in Hertfordshire and north London. Two of the victims worked at both locations, highlighting the scale of exploitation across both sites.