New campaign calls on nail techs to help stamp out modern slavery in salons

In a bid to eradicate modern slavery from UK businesses, Crimestoppers has partnered with the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) on a campaign to help the public recognise signs of slavery and report it.

Non-standard nail salons were identified as a key environment for exploitation, after Crimestoppers reported a 126% increase in reports of suspected modern slavery in the past six months compared to the previous six-month period.

Nail techs can play a key role in helping eradicate modern slavery from non-standard salons, said Crimestoppers, especially since it’s unclear where human traffickers are entering the country and operating.

Gemma Gibbs, general manager for Yorkshire and Humberside at Crimestoppers Trust, told Professional Beauty: “We know that these are mostly Vietnamese women and that they tend to be moved around the country between salons, but that’s why we’re launching this campaign, so we can build a proper picture of where they’re coming in and being sent to.”

Gibbs said professional techs are in a good position to recognise and report suspicions because they tend to be very aware of local competitor salons and how beauty businesses are run.

“It would be very helpful for professional techs to get on board with this if they hear anything from clients and something doesn’t sound quite right; that’s why we’re trying to get into the sector to get the message out, because people who know the industry will probably be able to pick up on these signs much better than the general public,”she said.