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.

While it is believed that there are around 15,000 people living in conditions of Modern Slavery in Australia, many Australian supply chains lead directly to the Asia Pacific region where there are estimated to be over 30 million people in situations including human trafficking, forced labour and debt bondage, as well as other breaches of an individual’s basic human rights.

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 important 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 references, is to help organisations understand the need for greater collaboration in order to address any instances of Modern Slavery that may exist in the construction and infrastructure supply chains. Further Modern Slavery resources dedicated to the Asia Pacific region will be developed during the coming months.

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

This short online module explains some of the current issues around Human Rights and Modern Slavery in the supply chain...

Beginner

30 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

Hidden in plain sight

Document / Presentation

This report sets out the case for a Modern Slavery Act for Australia

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

Transparency in Supply Chains – A Practical Guide

Document / Presentation

UK Government Guidance to accompany the Modern Slavery Act

Intermediate

60 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Modern slavery in the UK

Web link

UK government supported website about modern slavery in the UK

Beginner

15 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

School Partner Edge Environment's report, December 2017

Beginner

15 minutes

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Modern Slavery

Global Slavery Index

Web link

A website that provides support for the mapping and risk assessment process

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

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 Parliament of Australia’s Inquiry into establishing a Modern Slavery Act in Australia

Web link

From February 2017 the Australian Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has been investigating measures to improve Australia’s framework for combating modern slavery.

Intermediate

20 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 through research, policy development, law reform, professional practice, education and advocacy.

Beginner

30 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

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

30 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

The 2015 report on Forced Labour, Human Trafficking and the FTSE 100: A review of company disclosure and recommendations for investor engagement.

Intermediate

90 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

Anti-Slavery Australia’s Educational Videos

Web link

Educational Videos from Antislavery Australia.

Beginner

25 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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Modern Slavery

Understanding Remediation

Web link

This document outlines the components of forced labour remediation and the potential pathways for responding to cases, and highlights considerations for remediation strategies based on the current findings from Kenya, Guatemala and India.

Advanced

30 minutes

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Local community and economy, Modern Slavery

Heads Up – developed by Beyond Blue

Web link

Intermediate

30 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Petie Walker

Video

Part 3 of 9 of a half day workshop on modern slavery.

Intermediate

9 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Andy Hogben

Video

Part 3 of 9 of a half day workshop on modern slavery.

Intermediate

12 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Spela Berlec, Kim Randle

Video

Part 5 of 9 of a half day workshop on modern slavery

Intermediate

12 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Case Studies and Q&A

Video

Case studies and Q&A from a half day session on modern slavery

Beginner

20 minutes

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Modern Slavery

The Modern Slavery Act in Practice – Panel 2

Video

Panel session of a half day workshop on modern slavery.

Beginner

20 minutes

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