Cruel exploitation by Romanian gangmaster

THE most dreadful exploitation and cruelty springs from poverty — a reality confirmed in a court in Armagh yesterday when a Romanian gangmaster was jailed for mistreating and exploiting fellow countrymen and women. 

These workers were hired out as agricultural workers on this island. They were kept in bestial conditions and had their meagre wages plundered.

One source suggests there are 21m people enslaved in the world today, generating $150bn (€134bn) each year in profits for traffickers, and though the individuals abused in Armagh could not be called slaves, they were hardly much better.

We all, especially those who employ seasonal farm workers, have an obligation to be aware that some poor, homeless migrants are vulnerable to this kind of exploitation by ruthless individuals. Sadly, the refugee crisis gripping Europe will make it easier to exploit the destitute and impoverished. This is an age-old problem but one we can try to resolve by being vigilant and by insisting that all workers be treated as we expect to be treated ourselves.