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UK: New app allows drivers to denounce illegal hand car washes

Drivers have been urged to denounce modern slavery at cheap hand car washes in the UK by using a new mobile app.



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The Safe Car Wash app looks to involve the general public in the fight against workers exploitation at hand car washes around the UK.

The National Crime Agency thinks there are tens of thousands of people being exploited in the UK, forced to work long hours, for little or no pay, and under threat of violence.

By asking drivers a series of questions regarding use of children, fearful behaviour, a lack of protective clothing and prices lower than £6.70, Safe Car Wash hopes to identify these wrongful sites faster.

The app sends the anonymised data and a GPS position to the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) and directs users to the Modern Slavery Helpline, reports the Independent.

It has been developed by the Clewer Initiative, the Church of England’s campaign against modern slavery, and the Santa Marta Group, the Catholic Church’s anti-slavery project.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed the launch of a new app to help consumers identify car washes that could be exploiting their workers.

“It’s essential that all car wash operators are following employment regulations. Professional retailers do this, working to high legal standards, but they can be undermined by unscrupulous operators.  This new app helps consumers to identify the indicators of modern slavery and report it,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman.

Last April Members of the British Parliament announced an inquiry into the hand car wash sector.

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farook valli valli forecourts ltd

hand car wash must follow same rules and they must be inforced