London: The Indian High Commission said that over 50 Indian students in care homes in North Wales suspected to be victims of modern slavery.

The Indian High Commission in London appealed to the mission to contact such students for help and counselling.

The UK government’s intelligence and labour abuse agency, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), reported earlier this week that it had been successful in obtaining court orders against five accused of labour misconduct.

The GLLA said it has identified more than 50 Indian students over the past 14 months who are suspected to be victims of modern slavery and labour exploitation.

The High Commission said in a tweet, “We are concerned to read this news. For Indians who are facing this, please contact us at pol3.london@mea.gov.in. We will help or advise. We assure you of confidentiality in our response.”

The five men are suspected of recruiting and exploiting underprivileged Indian students working in care homes in North Wales.

They have been given the Slavery and Trafficking Risk Order (STO). The five are Matthew Isaac (32), Jinu Cherian (30), Aldhos Cherian (25), Aldhos Kuriachan (25) and Jacob Liju (47). All of them are originally from Kerala. They were arrested between December 2021 and May 2022. Investigation against them is going on.

GLLA said he and his wife, Jinu Cherian, supplied workers through Alex Care Solutions, a registered recruitment agency, in May 2021.

Three months later, a report by the Modern Slavery and Employment Helpline claimed that Indian workers recruited by Alexa Care were not being paid properly or had their salaries withheld.

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