Czech Brothers Run Modern Slavery Ring in UK McDonald's
- A gang led by Czech brothers trafficked over a dozen individuals into the U.K. for forced labor.
- Victims were subjected to violence, had their wages seized, and lived in poor conditions while working at a McDonald's and food factories.
- The case raises serious concerns about employer responsibility in preventing modern slavery and protecting vulnerable workers.
In the United Kingdom, a gang led by Czech brothers Ernest and Zdenek Drevenak trafficked over a dozen individuals from the Czech Republic between 2015 and 2019. These victims, many of whom had faced homelessness or addiction, were forced to work in a McDonald's restaurant and food factories supplying major supermarket chains. The gang exploited their vulnerable status, seizing their wages and controlling them through threats and violence, leaving them with minimal means to survive in poor living conditions. Police investigations revealed that the gang profited significantly from the victims' labor, amassing nearly $290,000 from just four individuals working at McDonald's. Despite the presence of red flags indicating potential abuse, employers failed to act, raising concerns about their responsibility in protecting vulnerable workers. In response to the findings, McDonald's U.K. acknowledged the need for improved systems to identify risks related to modern slavery and expressed commitment to combatting such exploitation. The British Retail Consortium also emphasized the importance of learning from these events to prevent future occurrences. Victims like Pavel, who was lured by promises of well-paying jobs, expressed feelings of betrayal and exploitation, particularly towards McDonald's for not recognizing the signs of abuse. The case highlights the ongoing issue of modern slavery in the U.K. and the critical need for vigilance and action from employers to safeguard workers' rights and well-being.