UK poultry firm DJ Houghton has accepted a landmark settlement of over £1m ($1m), in relation to the treatment of six Lithuanian poultry workers who were trafficked and forced to work on farms supplying eggs to high street firms including Asda, M&S, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. The settlement is the first relating to a UK company with respect to modern slavery. The claimants experienced appalling working conditions and accommodation and were paid less than the minimum wage. Ten further claims are expected. In recent decades, the Guardian revealed that Noble Foods, the UK’s largest egg company, used Houghton for casual labour.
UK poultry firm DJ Houghton has accepted a landmark settlement of over £1m ($1m), in relation to the treatment of six Lithuanian poultry workers who were trafficked and forced to work on farms supplying eggs to high street firms including Asda, M&S, McDonald’s, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. The settlement is the first relating to a UK company with respect to modern slavery. The claimants experienced appalling working conditions and accommodation and were paid less than the minimum wage. Ten further claims are expected. In 2012, the Guardian revealed that Noble Foods, the UK’s largest egg company, used Houghton for casual labour.