Companies must use buying power to root out slavery, says UK official
Companies that find their products are being made using slave labor should work with suppliers to stop the abuse rather than focusing on protecting their reputations, Britain’s anti-slavery commissioner said on Monday.
Sara Thornton said many people used in forced labor were highly vulnerable and could be left with “absolutely nothing” if major firms simply chose to walk away from abusive suppliers...
“It isn’t about cutting off the supplier, it’s working with them to improve matters.”
She spoke out after major supermarkets including Tesco, Asda and Marks and Spencer faced criticism this month for reportedly stocking vegetables supplied by a slavery ring that paid workers as little as 20 pounds ($25) per week...
Although many major firms might be afraid of the reputational risk that comes with admitting they have used slavery-supplied goods, Thornton argued they should use their buying power to help create positive change.
However, she urged caution on calls to sanction companies that flout a law requiring large firms to produce an annual statement outlining the actions they have taken to avoid slavery in their operations.
She said stronger civil penalties might be introduced but “criminal sanctions are not appropriate at this stage”...