Bed-making company used "slave workforce"

It is said that many Hungarian nationals were employed as a “slave workforce” by a West Yorkshire bed-making company, Kozee Sleep, that supplied to John Lewis, Dunelm Mill and Next.

Three men associated with the bed-making company have gone on trial after being accused of people-trafficking.

Leeds Crown Court was informed about an investigation into Kozee Sleep began after Janos Orsos and Ferenc Illes, from Hungary, were arrested for allegations over human-trafficking.

The jury was informed that a large number of Hungarian men were employees of Kozee Sleep's factory. Prosecutors said that the company owner, Mohammed Rafiq, as well as Mohammed Patel and Mohammed Dadhiwala, who held positions in the company, were aware that the workers supplied to them by Janos Orsos were trafficked.

Prosecutor, Christopher Tehrani, QC, said, “The police investigation revealed that between 2011 and 2013 a large number of Hungarian nationals... would be encouraged to seek employment in the UK with false promises about the employment on offer.”

However, Rafiq, Patel and Dhadhiwala have denied conspiracy to traffic individuals into the UK. The trial continues.