Pope Francis condemns exploitative bosses as 'bloodsuckers' who make workers 'slaves'

The Pope has condemned exploitative bosses as “bloodsuckers” and said they make “slaves” out of workers.

Pope Francis also spoke out against unfair employment contracts in a sermon which appeared to refer to both exploited migrants and domestic workers.

Speaking at Mass at the Vatican, he told the story of a girl who found a job working 11 hours a day for 650 euros (£500) a month, and was paid "under the table".

"This is starving the people with their work for profit! Living on the blood of the people. And this is a mortal sin," the Pontiff said.

Referring to unscrupulous employers running unstable seasonal work, he said: "Without a pension, without health care ... then they suspend [the contract], and in July and August [the workers] have to eat air. And in September, they laugh at you about it. Those who do that are true bloodsuckers."

He continued by saying that these employers “fatten themselves on wealth,” the Catholic News Agency reported, and what they do is “is truly a form of slavery.”

“We used to think that slaves no longer exist: they exist. It’s true, people are not going and taking them from Africa to sell them in America, no. But it is in our cities.”

The speech was not a diatribe against wealth, but asked people to consider their relationship to their money and how they earned it.

The Pope has become known for his comments on social justice. On the same day, he spoke to a new delegation of ambassadors to the Vatican on the need to build bridges to deal with the migrant crisis.

While maintaining that fears about migration shouldn’t be ignored, he called for increased communication.

“We must not allow misunderstanding and fear to weaken our resolve,” Pope Francis said, the Catholic News Service reported. “Rather, we are called to build a culture of dialogue, one which enables us to view others as valid dialogue partners, to respect the foreigner, the immigrant and people from different cultures as worthy to be listened to."

"If misunderstanding and fear prevail, something of ourselves dies; our cultures, history and traditions are weakened; and our own peace is compromised.

"When on the other hand, we foster dialogue and solidarity, both individually and collectively, it is then that we experience the best of humanity and secure an enduring peace for all as intended by our Creator," Pope Francis said.