A SEMINAR discussing how employers and their suppliers can help prevent people from being exploited as modern-day slaves was held in Newport yesterday.

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, Jeff Cuthbert, hosted the seminar to discuss how employers and their suppliers can work even closer with the police and key partners to prevent people from being exploited.

The seminar was held at Rodney Parade, with leading experts explaining what employers can do to ensure that goods, workers and services they purchase from suppliers at every stage is done ethically to protect vulnerable people from being exploited as modern-day slaves.

Stephen Chapman, Wales Anti-Slavery co-ordinator said: “Slavery is still thriving in 2017, we want to make sure our country is hostile to slavery.

“Not enough cases are being recognised and reported.”

Mr Chapman said there is a need to raise awareness of the signs to look out for, such as the person being controlled, not having access to their passport or not having contact with their family.

Jeff Cuthbert, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent, said that this is the first event of its type in Gwent.

He said: “Unfortunately, people trafficking and modern slavery is a growing crime.

“This event is about making employers aware of just how dangerous it is and give them additional tools to make sure they are not inadvertently making use of modern slavery in their own establishment.

“It is an educational event.

“We hope today will act as a spring for further action and more events.”

Gwent Police Deputy Chief Constable Julian Williams, who is the Wales Policing lead for human trafficking and modern slavery, said there are three types of slavery - labour exploitation, sexual exploitation and domestic servitude.

Speaking at the event, he said that modern slavery is a “new, hidden and emerging crime”.

The conference heard the story of Blessing Oluwatimileyin, a Nigerian woman who is sharing her experience to help others.

She said: “My childhood was not pleasant because I was a house girl from the age of seven. I was doing housework and taking care of children, amongst others.

“I didn’t have a chance to have an education.”

Back in Nigeria, the 47-year-old was sexually abused and trafficked.

She said: “My auntie brought me to the UK when I was 35.

“Once I got here, I was forced to clean houses.

“Any money that I earned was going to my auntie’s account.

“All I got was a travel pass, there was no money for clothes or toiletries.

“After eight months, I ran away into churches and fellowship. The International Christian Association helped me, they started paying for my rent and feeding me.”

Ms Oluwatimileyin, who lives in London, is currently processing her asylum.

In 2015, the Modern Slavery Act was passed, requiring large businesses to declare whether they have taken steps to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place with their suppliers at every stage.

For further information, visit gov.wales/code-of-practice