A fruit picker from Bolivia may have been subjected to modern slavery under a government scheme, The Independent can reveal...

In a preliminary ruling, the Home Office has now decided there are reasonable grounds to conclude that Ms Casimiro could have been a victim of modern slavery. Her case will now be investigated further by the government before a final decision is made...

Haygrove, which has fruit-growing farms in the UK, South Africa and Portugal, has denied all the allegations.

Ms Casimiro has also brought legal proceedings against the farm at an employment tribunal, claiming harassment and race discrimination with the help of union UVW. Haygrove refute any allegations of bullying or discrimination, saying that they take care to ensure fairness.

She also claims that the farm did not provide the proper safety wear, or provide enough drinking water or toilets on site. Haygrove said that toilets are kept clean, team leaders provide water in all picking fields, and health and safety is taken extremely seriously.

Ms Casimiro, who arrived in the UK in July 2023 from Chile, said the farm had asked her to repay the cost of her flights...

A conclusive decision on Ms Casimiro’s case is expected next month.

A Haygrove spokesperson said: “The National Referral Mechanism has not determined that Ms Casimiro was a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking.

“Our understanding is that the NRM’s role is to evaluate whether to provide support to Ms Casimiro, but it is not their responsibility to investigate a potential case. We have evidence to demonstrate that Ms Casimiro was not a victim.”

A government spokesperson said: “The welfare of visa holders is of paramount importance, including in the seasonal workers scheme, and we are clamping down on poor working conditions and exploitation..."