Blog

May 18, 2023

We all turn a blind eye to exploited carwash and nail bar workers

Their plight has been ignored by authorities and customers for years, but that

Their plight has been ignored by authorities and customers for years, but that has to change, write Andrew Harrison and Eva Bradshaw

Teresa Sayers (What do you really see when you visit hand carwashes in Britain? Exploited workers and criminality, 14 March) is right to highlight the appalling conditions that some workers are forced to endure at hand carwashes in the UK. Unfortunately the issue goes deeper than that, with nail bar workers often sharing many equally awful conditions.

The plight of these workers has been a well known, openly dirty secret among the public for years. What is worse is the indisputable fact that the government and law enforcement have long known about this issue.

This really is a blight that could be removed from the streets of Britain with the application of a little willpower by the powers that be.Andrew HarrisonHolmfirth, West Yorkshire

I don't understand how local authorities don't know that this level of exploitation is happening in their towns. I have learned that when I see this sort of thing happening, I need to make an official complaint to the council.Eva BradshawNewbury, Berkshire

Have an opinion on anything you’ve read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.