As the world turns its gaze to the Paris Olympics, the story of Mohammed Zaman sheds light on the plight faced by survivors of modern slavery in the U.K. After nearly two decades of battling for his right to remain in the U.K., Zaman hopes to carry the Olympic torch, symbolizing his resilience and hard-won freedom.
Forced to overstay and work
Zaman arrived in London from Bangladesh in 2005 with a visa and a job lined up. However, his sponsor quickly turned the opportunity into a nightmare.
The BBC reports,
When Mr Zaman arrived in the UK in 2005 his sponsor forced him to work long hours for little pay.
“We worked every day, 16 or 17 hours a day, six days a week, sometimes seven days a week… Around nine to 10 people used to live in two rooms.”
He was threatened with violence, and his abusive employer used his details to take out loans in Mr Zaman’s name.
Zaman’s passport was confiscated, and he was forced to work long hours under deplorable conditions – and to overstay in the U.K.
Insufficient support after escape
After he escaped, Zaman still lived in constant fear and poverty for years as he was unable to regularize his immigration status. Without the right to work or access to public funds, he was at constant risk of re-trafficking.
During this time, he volunteered at major sporting events, including the 2012 London Olympics and the 2022 Commonwealth Games, demonstrating his unyielding spirit despite his challenging circumstances.
Shockingly few foreign nationals recognized as survivors of trafficking by the U.K. Government’s official National Referral Mechanism (NRM) are granted leave to remain in the UK. The government’s approach fails to address the comprehensive needs of survivors when assessing whether to grant leave, including looking at risks of re-trafficking if returned to their country of origin, safety and protection, and all the needs of the survivor.
“I will work, I will live, I will have freedom”
In October, Zaman’s story was highlighted by BBC London, leading an appeal judge to grant him Leave to Remain. The Home Office confirmed his status, allowing him the right to live and work in the UK after a 19-year battle. “I will work, I will live, I will have freedom,” Zaman says, reflecting on his newly secured rights.
Recognizing his dedication and perseverance, Zaman was invited to carry the Olympic torch in Paris. However, his expired Bangladeshi passport presented a significant obstacle. Unable to obtain an emergency travel document from the Home Office in time, he missed the original date. Olympic authorities have rescheduled him to carry the torch on August 28, for the opening of the Paralympics.
Zaman’s journey underscores the severe challenges faced by survivors of modern slavery and the urgent need for comprehensive support and swift action to regularize their immigration status. His story is a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight against modern slavery and the continuous risk faced by those left in legal limbo.
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