He left Indonesia seeking a better life in the UK. All he found was debt and despair

Filled with hopes of a brighter future, he envisioned a life where hard work would lead to financial freedom. But little did he know that this journey would soon entangle him in a labyrinth of debt and exploitation, compelling him to challenge the very system he believed would offer him opportunity.

Now 20, Budi is bringing a case against the UK Home Office, alleging that he is a victim of modern-day slavery after his experience with the seasonal worker scheme devolved into a harrowing ordeal.

“My friend said that I could work in the UK for two years on a seasonal worker visa, and I thought that it would be an investment in my future,” Budi told This Week in Asia, using an alias to protect his identity.

“I thought that, if I worked for two years, I would be able to pay off all my debts in the first year and then save all my money in the second year before I returned to Indonesia.”