Essay: Canada’s Modern Slavery Act is the start – not the end – of efforts to address the issue in supply chains
In an article first published on The Conversation, KAM PHUNG and GENEVIEVE LEBARON say the enactment of what many are calling Canada’s Modern Slavery Act is an important milestone, yet it should only be viewed as the beginning of efforts to address modern slavery in supply chains…
One in five major Australian businesses failing reporting obligations on modern slavery
Sydney, Australia One in five large Australian businesses are likely to fail their legal reporting obligations on the effectiveness of modern slavery actions in their supply chains by the end of 2021, a review of statements to the Australian Modern Slavery Register shows. Analysis by the University of South Australia says that by midnight on […]
Australia warns of modern slavery risks in government supply chains
Thomson Reuters Foundation Australia said this week that construction and textiles were among the riskiest industries for slave labour in the public sector, in its first report on government efforts to clean up its supply chains. The government’s inaugural modern slavery statement, required by a 2018 law, outlined efforts to train officials on the topic, inform […]
UK orders public sector to tackle modern slavery in supply chains
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Government departments and other public bodies in Britain will have to take action to ensure their suppliers do not engage in modern slavery under measures announced on Tuesday. Britain said public-sector organisations with a budget of more than £36 million, including local authorities, would have to file an annual statement outlining […]
Bring more traffickers to justice, UK anti-slavery chief urges
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Police and prosecutors in Britain are not bringing enough human traffickers to justice, the country’s anti-slavery commissioner said on Thursday amid concerns that the coronavirus pandemic is preventing many victims from being identified or seeking help. Modern slavery prosecutions have fallen during the last year despite a rise in police operations […]
UK aims to uncover more traffickers with new modern slavery research centre
LondonThomson Reuters Foundation Britain is aiming to uncover the true scale of modern slavery and expose more trafficking networks through the creation of a £10 million research centre involving academics, charities and firms, the government said on Tuesday. The initiative will drive research and boost collaboration in Britain and abroad between various sectors, focusing on […]
UK appoints top cop as new anti-slavery chief after criticism over delay
Thomson Reuters Foundation One of Britain’s most senior police officers was on Friday appointed the country’s new anti-slavery chief, about 10 months after the inaugural commissioner resigned expressing frustration about government interference in his role. Sara Thornton, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council since 2015, will take up the position on a three-year contract […]
UK urged to scrap search for new anti-slavery chief over interference fears
Thomson Reuters Foundation Britain should scrap its search for a new anti-slavery chief and address concerns about the independence of the next commissioner before readvertising for the role, lawmakers said on Monday. Kevin Hyland was appointed as the inaugural independent commissioner in 2014 as part of Britain’s landmark Modern Slavery Act, but he resigned in […]
UK anti-slavery drive “thwarted” by failure to replace commissioner – sources
Thomson Reuters Foundation Britain’s efforts to be the global leader in fighting modern slavery have been “thwarted” by a failure to replace its anti-slavery chief who resigned seven months ago citing government interference, two sources told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Kevin Hyland was appointed as the inaugural independent commissioner in 2014 as part of Britain’s […]
Australia targets big business with world’s second anti-slavery law
Thomson Reuters Foundation Big companies and public bodies in Australia will have to disclose how they tackle modern-day slavery in their operations under a law passed on Thursday that activists say is tougher on business than Britain’s landmark 2015 anti-slavery legislation. The world’s second anti-slavery law, passed by Australia, requires companies with a turnover of […]