An investigation has revealed shocking evidence of modern slavery within a McDonald’s branch in Caxton, Cambridgeshire. The report, produced by BBC Local Investigations, uncovered that a criminal gang forced 16 victims to work in appalling conditions for years. The victims, trafficked from the Czech Republicnp, endured extreme exploitation, including excessive hours and minimal wages, while the gang responsible stole most of their earnings.
The criminal network, led by brothers Ernest and Zdenek Drevenak, targeted vulnerable individuals in the Czech Republic, luring them to the UK with the promise of well-paid jobs. Instead, they were subjected to forced labour, often working between 70 and 100 hours a week at the McDonald’s branch, as well as in a bread factory in Hertfordshire supplying major supermarkets such as the Co-op, Asda, M&S, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Waitrose.
Missed signs of modern slavery
Key indicators of modern slavery, such as excessive working hours and shared bank accounts, were overlooked for years. One victim was forced to work a gruelling 30-hour shift, a clear violation of the International Labour Organization’s standards on forced labour. Furthermore, the wages of four of the victims were funnelled into a single bank account, totalling £215,000 over the years.
In addition to long hours, the victims were forced to live in squalid conditions, surviving on just a few pounds a day. They were housed in cramped and unsafe accommodations, including a leaking shed and an unheated caravan, while the gang used the stolen wages to fund a luxurious lifestyle abroad.
Several victims tried to escape, only to be tracked down by the gang and trafficked back to the UK. They were also unable to speak English, a fact that the gang exploited by completing their job applications and attending interviews as translators.
Inaction by employers and supermarkets
Despite multiple opportunities to detect the slavery, both McDonald’s and the bakery company missed the warning signs. None of the supermarkets, which received products made by the forced labourers, detected the modern slavery during audits and inspections. The bakery, which went into administration in 2022, supplied major supermarket chains, with Sainsbury’s cutting ties in 2016, and others like Tesco and Waitrose following suit in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
One of the victims, Pavel, who waived his anonymity to participate in the BBC programme, described the mental health issues the experience had on him. He was homeless when he was approached by the gang in 2016 and promised a better life in the UK. However, the reality was far from what was promised, with his wages stolen and his freedoms restricted. “You can’t undo the damage to my mental health,” Pavel said, reflecting on the years of exploitation.
McDonald’s UK has since expressed deep regret, acknowledging that “massive opportunities” were missed in detecting the slavery. The company has commissioned an independent review and taken steps to enhance its practices, including monitoring for shared bank accounts and excessive working hours, as well as reviewing the role of interpreters in interviews.
Supermarket reactions
The response from supermarkets has been varied. Asda expressed its disappointment that such a case was found in its supply chain, stating that it would review every case and act upon the findings. Tesco also noted “concerning working practices” during inspections, which led to the cessation of orders from the bakery in 2020. M&S and Waitrose took similar steps after discovering ethical labour breaches. The Co-op, which carried out several unannounced inspections, maintained that no signs of modern slavery were detected during those visits.
The Workers Union says…
“This case highlights a disturbing reality: modern slavery can exist in plain sight, even within the supply chains of well-known brands. The investigation serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in all areas of employment, and the need for employers and regulators to be proactive in identifying and addressing signs of exploitation.
While McDonald’s and the supermarkets involved have taken steps to address the issue, the damage done to the victims cannot be undone. Pavel and the other victims will carry the psychological scars of their experience for years to come.”
