Modern slavery: Sri Lankan migrant workers in UK exploited, students hit hardest

By S. Rubatheesan

Dreaming of a better future, Nirosh* (23) arrived in London last September to pursue his higher education in Information Technology (IT), as Sri Lanka’s 2022 economic crisis disrupted his studies and left his parents grappling with its devastating impact.

He stayed with a relative for over a week in London until he obtained admission to a college in Gloucester, some 184 kilometres from London. He says he deeply cherishes his brief stay in London.

Soon after he settled on a small house, which was turned into a student hostel where four other students also lived, he started looking for a job in his spare time to support himself and cover the expenses.

At a nearby food court restaurant, he secured a job. He agreed to the restaurant owner’s condition that he would be paid only from the second week, as the first week was for training. He was not told how much he would be paid per hour or about other benefits.

“At that time, I didn’t know about minimum wage or National Insurance. I just wanted to make some money to manage my expenses. After two weeks, he gave me 100 sterling pounds—in cash—and told me to ask if I wanted more. When I asked him later for an increase, he refused,” Nirosh told the Sunday Times.

Read the full story at the Sundy Times print edition here.