Jersey's next government urged to create laws preventing exploitation of workers

Charities in Jersey are urging politicians to prioritise drawing up laws to abolish modern-day slavery.

The call - from organisations supporting migrant workers - follows the conviction of Deputy Philip Ozouf for illegally employing five Rwandan staff, who were licensed to work at a local hotel, at his launderette and his home.

The Royal Court this week sentenced the St Saviour politician to 120 hours community service.

Co-accused, Director of the Savoy Hotel, Roberto Lora, was fined £5,000.  

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The case was the first of its kind in Jersey and followed a two-year long investigation.

Deputy Philip Ozouf walking to the Royal Court

Charities Caritas Jersey and the Salvation Army made public statements following the sentencing hearing, urging islanders and our politicians to take the exploitation of workers seriously.

Captain Alice Nunn from the Salvation Army told Channel 103 the charities sees the 'deep harms' caused by exploitation.

"For those affected, the impact can be devastating, leaving them frightened, isolated and struggling to trust others.

"Exploitation can only continue when it is overlooked and ignored.

"We all have a part to play in noticing the warning signs and speaking up when something does not feel right.

"Protecting vulnerable people is everyone's responsibility."

Caritas Jersey's CEO, Patrick Lynch, says these crimes are not victimless, and without migrant workers, Jersey would be seriously impacted.

"It is imperative that the next States Assembly brings forward and implements thorough, robust and effective Monday Day Slavery legislation."

He also suggests that the Customs and Immigration Service launch a Labour Inspection Office.

"We would urge that employees, rather than employers, hold employment licenses to avoid the risk of modern slavery and people trafficking.

"We also ask that all companies and organisations commit to ethical recruiting."

Jersey Customs and Immigration Service says it is committed to robustly investigating immigration offences wherever they occur."

JCIS Head Rhiannon Small said:

"Be reassured that we will not tolerate these breaches and deliberate circumventions of our immigration policy. 

"For anyone thinking of coming (to the island to work), I would say we are a welcoming island and we will not stand for any circumventions of the policy.

"We will work with the legislative system that we have got, and we will not let the lack of any legislation put us off investigating and bringing people to court."

The UK introduced the Modern Day Slavery Act in 205, creating specific offences around exploitation, strengthening victim protections and introducing harsher penalties for perpetrators.