A Modern Slavery claim is checked in several stages, and at the first stage it is reviewed by the NRM. If the claim is not confirmed, a false claim is considered a criminal offence. Filing a claim is not a way to bypass visa restrictions or obtain permission to work for another employer.

How the check works

The claimant first approaches a third party responsible for identifying cases and describes their situation in detail. If the responsible body believes there are indicators, the case is passed to another unit that carries out further investigation. Interviews are conducted beforehand. A decision is only made after these stages.

The material notes that the threshold for recognising victim status is fairly high, and during the check the employer can also provide explanations on the merits of the case.

Paying the sponsor’s fees and bank transfers

The discussion raised the question of whether payments can be confirmed with a bank statement or other evidence. The answer given in the material is that the relevant department itself conducts the check, and the assessment of whether the claim is true is made after the investigation. It is impossible to predict in advance how payments will be taken into account.

It was also noted that lately many claimants pay for visas and then claim to have become victims of modern slavery. In essence, this refers to arrangements where the employer receives money for issuing a visa, while the worker retains the right to choose their workplace and pays taxes.

The risk of a false claim

The authors of the material warn: those trying to use the mechanism without grounds should remember that a false claim is a criminal offence. This mechanism should not be used as a way to change employer or extend status without real circumstances behind it.