Waitrose investigates 'ghetto' conditions of apple picking migrant workers

Three global supermarket chains are in the midst of an investigation involving outsourcing companies who harvest and deliver their apples.

Following a recent undercover probe, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Marks & Spencer’s are now looking into the conditions of the migrant workers who have been lured to England under false pretences. According to the Channel 4 documentary Nickel Farm, it is alleged that the fruit companies force their employees to live in filthy accommodation, working long hours for minute wages.

Waitrose, who has now suspended their contract with their supplier, released a statement saying: “We are taking these allegations very seriously and immediately arranged an unannounced independent audit of this site, as well as a visit by senior members of our own team.”

The documentary highlighted the struggle of the mainly Romanian workers, who are in the UK legally, as they explained how they were promised luxury housing and instead given mould infested flats, ridden with damp and dirt.