Modern Slavery & Forced Labor

Modern slavery encompasses forced labor, debt bondage, human trafficking, and slavery-like practices. An estimated 50 million people are in modern slavery globally.

Forms of Modern Slavery

Forced Labor — Work or service extracted under threat of penalty
Debt Bondage — Labor to repay debt with exploitative terms
Human Trafficking — Recruitment and movement for exploitation
Child Labor — Work that deprives children of childhood and education

High-Risk Sectors and Regions

Sectors: Agriculture, garment manufacturing, construction, mining, domestic work
Regions: South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Middle East

Regulatory Requirements

UK Modern Slavery Act — Annual statements for companies >£36M turnover
Australia Modern Slavery Act — Annual statements for companies >A$100M revenue
California Transparency in Supply Chains Act — Disclosure of efforts to eradicate slavery

Prevention Measures

Supplier Audits — Independent verification of working conditions
Worker Voice Mechanisms — Grievance channels and worker interviews
Responsible Recruitment — No recruitment fees charged to workers
Living Wages — Wages sufficient to meet basic needs

From ESG Library

• ESG & GRI Reporting Made Simple — Modern slavery disclosure guidance

View all books →

Key Resources

• Walk Free Global Slavery Index
• UK Modern Slavery Act 2015

Part of ESG Hub | Curated by Ascent Partners Foundation