Migrant farmers protest exploitation in UK seasonal worker scheme

For years, reports of abuse within the UK’s seasonal worker scheme have gone largely unaddressed. Now, amid mounting allegations of forced labor and mistreatment, a group of Latin American farmworkers is refusing to be ignored. Under the banner Justice Is Not Seasonal, they have taken to the streets, demanding fair wages, better conditions, and accountability from both the government and the farms profiting from their labor.

At the heart of their protest is a case that has already shaken the industry: allegations against Haygrove, a major supplier of fresh produce to top organic brands, accused of forcing migrant workers into grueling conditions while failing to pay wages or provide adequate living accommodations. As the Home Office reviews claims of modern slavery, the wider seasonal worker scheme faces renewed scrutiny.

An industry built on exploitation

The UK relies heavily on seasonal migrant labor to sustain its agricultural sector. Each year, tens of thousands of workers arrive under six-month visas, often tied to a single employer, leaving them highly vulnerable to abuse. With no access to public benefits and no right to bring their families, these workers are trapped in a precarious system that prioritizes profit over their well-being.

According to The Conversation, U.N. Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata has warned that the UK may be violating international law by failing to properly investigate forced labor claims within the seasonal worker scheme.

“The UK attracts migrant farm workers with six-month temporary visas… A United Nations special rapporteur, Tomoya Obokata, an expert in human rights law and modern slavery, has suggested that the UK is breaking international law with its seasonal work scheme by failing to investigate instances of forced labour. Claims of exploitation and bullying on UK farms are also becoming more common. Meanwhile, in an effort to appease farm managers, the UK government recently announced a five-year extension of this scheme.”

Investigations have uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of farmworkers across dozens of UK farms including threats, wage theft, and exploitation, all while performing backbreaking labor in harsh conditions.

Despite the evidence, government oversight remains weak. Private recruitment agencies wield significant power, deciding where workers are placed and whether they can transfer to another farm if conditions deteriorate. This unchecked authority, combined with the lack of robust labor inspections, has created a system ripe for abuse.

“Buying ethically” is not the solution

The issue extends beyond conventional farms. Organic and small-scale producers, often perceived as more ethical, have also faced allegations of worker mistreatment. According to research by Solidarity Across Land Trades, some small farms have used “traineeships” to justify paying workers less than £2 per hour, all while marketing their produce at premium prices.

Relying on consumers to “buy ethically” is not the solution, advocates argue. The systemic exploitation of farmworkers cannot be remedied at the checkout. Instead, it requires policy reforms that grant workers real protections, including the right to switch employers freely, access to public benefits, and a clear pathway to residency.

It’s time for real protections

The U.K. government claims to be cracking down on modern slavery, yet its immigration policies are making migrants even more vulnerable to exploitation. Recent changes have made it harder for survivors to access protections under the Modern Slavery Act, while migrant workers like those in the seasonal worker scheme remain trapped in conditions that foster forced labor. Reports have shown that instead of safeguarding migrants, the government is doubling down on policies that leave them more at risk.

The U.K. cannot claim to fight modern slavery while actively creating conditions that allow it to thrive. Without urgent reforms, migrant workers and survivors will continue to suffer. Freedom United calls for policies that protect workers, ensure safe migration pathways, and uphold human rights.

Join us in calling for real protections for all migrant workers.