Modern Slavery - Supply Chain Sustainability School

What is Modern Slavery?

The word ‘slavery’ is often associated with human rights infringements imposed centuries ago by wealthy and privileged landowners across the globe. By this reasoning, the term would be considered redundant in today’s more enlightened society.

Unfortunately, the reality is quite different; the 2018 Global Slavery Index estimated that there are over 40 million victims of modern slavery practices worldwide today and, due to the nature of the data, this figure may be on the low side. Slavery today – or ‘modern slavery’ – can take many different forms and refers to instances of human exploitation where the victim cannot refuse or leave.

Around 15,000 people are living in conditions of modern slavery in Australia, and many Australian supply chains lead directly to the Asia Pacific region. In the Asia Pacific region estimates place over 30 million people in human trafficking, forced labour or debt bondage situations.

Modern Slavery Legislation in Australia

In early 2017 the Australian Government started an inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia, and since then there has been a steadily increasing focus on this crucial topic.

The ‘Hidden in Plain Sight’ report, released in December 2017, sets out the case for a Modern Slavery Act for Australia providing details around definitions, transparency, responses and support, with legislation due to be introduced mid-2018.

The NSW Modern Slavery Bill passed in June 2018 is intended to cover public and private sector organisations with a turnover of more than $50 million operating with staff in NSW.

The Australian Government introduced a Modern Slavery Bill which passed both Houses in November 2018 and is now working on the supporting regulations and guidance documents.

The aim of the resources below gathered from both UK and Australian sources is to help organisations understand the need for greater collaboration to address any instances of modern slavery that may exist in the construction and infrastructure supply chains.

We hope you find these resources useful but should you have any queries, suggestions, or need additional information; please contact [email protected]

Modern Slavery

An introduction to Human Rights and Modern Slavery e-learning module

E-learning Module

Current issues around human rights and modern slavery in the supply chain

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Online Register for Modern Slavery Statements

Web link

This website is the Australian Government’s Online Register for Modern Slavery Statements.

Intermediate

5 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Minderoo Foundation – Walk Free

Web link

Modern Slavery Toolkit for Business Primer and other resources

Intermediate

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Global Slavery Index 2018 Findings

Document / Presentation

The Global Slavery index provides a map, country by country, showing the estimated prevalence of modern slavery, together with information about the steps each government has taken to respond to this issue.

Beginner

15 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery in Australian property, construction and infrastructure supply chains

Web link

This short report on Modern Slavery in Australian property, construction and infrastructure supply chains outlines the risks and relevance.

Beginner

10 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Department of Home Affairs Modern Slavery Act Reporting Requirements and the Guidance for Reporting Entities

Document / Presentation

Guidance for reporting entities, Act implementation annual report and more

Intermediate

60 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Anti-Slavery Australia – Working to abolish slavery

Web link

We protect the human rights of trafficked and enslaved people

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Anti-Slavery Australia’s Educational Videos

Web link

Educational Videos from Antislavery Australia.

Beginner

25 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Anti-Slavery Australia’s Fact Sheets

Web link

A selection of eleven fact sheets on key issues surrounding Modern Slavery

Beginner

60 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Business and Human Rights Resource Centre BHRRC

Web link

Working with everyone to advance human rights in business and eradicate abuse

Intermediate

10 minutes

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Modern Slavery

UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

Document / Presentation

A set of guidelines to prevent, address and remedy human rights abuses committed in business operations

Beginner

45 minutes

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Local community and economy, Modern Slavery

International Labour Organization (ILO)

Web link

UN agency - labour standards, policies and programmes

Intermediate

10 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Freedom Partnership Australia

Web link

The Freedom Partnership empowers survivors of exploitation and slavery, and engages community, business and government to recognise and act to end modern slavery in Australia.

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

What is modern slavery? Be Slavery Free

Video

What is Modern Slavery ... and how can I be part of ending it?

Beginner

11 minutes

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Modern Slavery

COVID-19 and modern slavery 3 part series

Video

Be Slavery Free three part series on COVID-19 and modern slavery

Intermediate

180 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery Bill 2018

Document / Presentation

Requires certain large businesses and other entities in Australia to make annual public reports (Modern Slavery Statements)

Intermediate

90 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The NSW Modern Slavery Bill

Document / Presentation

This bill is intended to cover public and private sector organisations with a turnover of more than $50 million operating with staff in NSW.

Advanced

90 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Lexis Nexis report: Hidden In Plain Site – Modern Slavery in the Construction Industry

Document / Presentation

Read the 2016 Lexis Nexis white paper on Modern Slavery in the Construction Industry, with global examples and guidance

Beginner

60 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Procurement Guidance

Document / Presentation

How to embed best practice in your procurement when combating modern slavery

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery in Australia: the issue, the legislation and what to do about it

Document / Presentation

Edge Environment's report, December 2017

Beginner

15 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Bali Process Government & Business Forum 2018 Quick Guide to Writing a Modern Slavery Statement

Document / Presentation

A quick guide to writing a Modern Slavery Statement

Beginner

15 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery in the Asia Pacific Region 2018

Document / Presentation

This regional study summarises a longer set of findings, which can be found in the Global Slavery Index: Asia and the Pacific Report.

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Slavery Footprint: How many slaves work for you?

Web link

Find out how many slaves work to support your lifestyle by completing an online survey

Beginner

5 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Tackling Modern Slavery in Supply Chains – CIPS

Document / Presentation

This Guide which provides the basics of what a company should begin to undertake.

Beginner

60 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and the FTSE 100

Document / Presentation

2015 report on Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and the FTSE 100

Intermediate

90 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Case studies of Modern Slavery in Australia

Web link

Examples of Slavery in Australia

Beginner

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery and Australian Infrastructure – Presentation slides

Document / Presentation

A slide deck from a Supply Chain School event in Sydney (November 29th, 2017)

Beginner

30 minutes

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The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – strategies & processes for action. This half-day workshop from 29 Aug 2019 in collaboration with GHD and ISCA showcased how leaders in the sector were preparing for the requirements of the Act and implementing change throughout their supply chain for greater transparency as well as raising awareness of human rights and modern slavery issues. Through case studies, a panel discussion and peer-to-peer learning participants dived into the strategies, processes and actions required to shift practices to a new level, towards the eradication of modern slavery up and down our supply chains. The event aimed to provide a greater understanding of the new modern slavery legislation, what it means for Australian Government, business and industry.

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