Cornwall migrant workers want police apology after raids
This raises a really interesting question about the difference between the perception and reality of “modern slavery”. It tells us:
Nearly 200 migrant flower pickers employed at a farm raided last week have written to police demanding an apology for being made to feel like “victims”.
Three men were arrested on suspicion of modern slavery and gangmaster offences after the raid near Helston, Cornwall.
The letter, signed by 189 workers, says morale has been affected and defends the farm bosses.
Devon and Cornwall Police said it cannot comment on a live investigation.
The arrested men have since been released while investigations continue.
The majority of those employed at the Bosahan farm are from Lithuania and Romania.
Justinus Stanislaus, a Lithuanian translator who is helping the group, said: “They want to prove to the world that they are not victims of modern slavery.
“It’s a wonderful place to work and they are treated well. They refute everything that has been said in that respect”.
On the evening of the raid many of the workers gathered at Camborne Police Station to protest against the arrests.
The following day, Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer explained the raid, saying: “There were reports into police of alleged labour abuse, alleged offence of modern slavery.
“Therein lies the dilemma – you have to at some point intervene and you just sift your way through the evidence.”