Parallel societies: slavery, exploitation and criminal subculture in Leicester

COVID-19 has put under the spotlight the fast fashion industry in Leicester East, and its exploitation of thousands of (mostly immigrant) workers. Our research has confirmed that conditions in these garment factories exemplify a wide spectrum of criminality and exploitation. There is urgent need for action before a tragedy along the lines of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh happens on our shores and on our watch. The evidence we have amassed has convinced us that only through root and branch reform of this corrupt system can we restore rule of law, fair labour conditions and dignity to the exploited.

The report

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