Milan, 37

“A childhood acquaintance reached out to me and offered me a well-paid job in Great Britain. I was to work in a field, collecting blueberries. I had paid for the trip out of my own pocket, but when I arrived at the place, a man, about 45 years old, told me that the plans had changed. So I started to work 12-hours shifts in a bakery, but I wasn’t getting paid.

The man claimed that my money is sent to an account, and that he would give it to me when leaving for home. I lived in a house with several people, but could not go out alone for more that 15 – 20 minutes. We got food about 2 – 3 times a week, and only dry bread rolls at that. He threatened me several times and even beat me once when I asked where the money is. He occasionally allowed me to call a friend from Slovakia, but he stood next to me the whole time. I was lucky because inspectors came to the bakery I worked at, and I used this opportunity to tell them about my situation.”