abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Article

30 Oct 2016

Author:
Jane Moyo, Ethical Trading Initiative

UK: Modern Slavery Act encourages corporate leaders to take greater responsibility & progressive action

"New report and survey finds Modern Slavery Act is galvanising leadership action in progressive companies", 27 October 2016

The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and Hult International Business School investigated corporate leadership responses to modern slavery within leading companies ahead of the first anniversary of the Act…[T]he report finds that...companies strongly believe effective engagement and action in partnership with governments, NGOs and charities, and other local stakeholders is critical for significant change. All companies state that one of the most effective interventions is involving workers directly in managing and mitigating the risks of modern slavery…Companies also recognise that addressing modern slavery is not about short-term risk management, but about changing the way the business thinks about human rights…to change practice in the long term….[M]ost companies struggle to meet the demands of the Act, as indicated by recent research carried out by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre…The report finds that companies face several significant barriers and tensions in addressing modern slavery…40% of respondents highlight supply chain complexity as one of the strongest barriers…