In May 2024, The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Independent released articles saying the UK government received a letter from four UN special rapporteurs alleging the government knew migrant farmworkers on the Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme in the country were at risk of abuse and its oversight of farms was insufficient. The government extended the scheme weeks after receiving the letter.

The letter focuses on allegations of labour abuse by migrant workers at Haygrove farm, which it says may amount to forced labour. The letter emphasises the government's failure to protect and remedy victims of abuse at Haygrove. Workers were recruited to Haygrove by Fruitful Jobs, who allegedly failed to take action after the workers went on strike.

Haygrove and Fruitful jobs sent responses to the UN Letter. Haygrove said the allegations were ‘materially incorrect’ and said it would be paying workers for the time spent travelling between company sites as a “goodwill gesture”. Fruitful jobs refuted the allegations and said it took issues workers experienced at Haygrove seriously.

The UN letter emphasises how the Points Based Immigration System in the country has increased workers’ vulnerability to abuse by increasing workers’ dependence on their employer and amid high recruitment charges leading to debt bondage. The letter says ‘systemic change’ is needed.

The letter also highlights concerns linked to the health and care sector in the country, saying conditions attached to the Health and Social Care Visa make migrant care workers vulnerable to abuse.

The letters calls for the government to clarify all cases brought to its attention and to provide information on several points, including how sponsors and farms are regulated in the country, how recruitment licenses are issued, how the government protects victims of slavery and trafficking.