Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner supports launch of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme
The Responsible Car Wash Scheme (RCWS) launches a new pilot project today, to test the effectiveness and value of introducing licensing for car wash businesses. The pilot is jointly funded by the Home Office and industry partners and interventions will take place in three locations: Slough, Hillingdon and Luton. It is being independently evaluated by Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and is supported by the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the police, the Health and Safety Executive, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, the Environment Agency and charity Unseen.
Dame Sara Thornton, Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said:
“For years, lack of compliance with labour market regulation in the hand car wash sector has led to concerns about the exploitation of vulnerable workers, which in extreme cases has involved forced labour and modern slavery.
"I welcome this evidence-based approach, and hope that it provides useful lessons for local councils, law enforcement, businesses and NGOs, while paving the way towards a coherent national strategy. Our focus must be on driving up labour and safety standards to protect those at greatest risk.”
ENDS