Standing against Modern Slavery: How businesses can make a meaningful impact

Today, we observe International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, a day dedicated to raising awareness of the ongoing fight against modern slavery and recognising the importance of freedom, equality, and human dignity for all.

This day serves as a reminder that while significant progress has been made, the battle against exploitation is far from over and requires ongoing commitment from all sectors of society.

Global perspective on Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a pervasive global issue, affecting an estimated 40 million people worldwide. It exists in many forms, including forced labour, human trafficking, and child exploitation, often in industries like agriculture, construction, and textiles. In Australia, the 2018 Global Slavery Index estimated that around 15,000 people are living in modern slavery. These statistics highlight the scale of the problem and why it requires urgent action from all sectors, including governments, businesses, and consumers.

Australia has recently marked a significant milestone with the appointment of Chris Evans as the country’s first Anti-Slavery Commissioner, as a response of the 2023 Australia’s Modern Slavery Review. However, the responsibility to tackle this issue extends beyond the government. Businesses have a crucial role to play in ensuring their operations and supply chains are free from exploitation.

The Anti-Slavery Commissioner will focus on three key areas:

1. Supporting victims and survivors – helping them access resources and opportunities to rebuild their lives.
2. Raising awareness – educating businesses and the public about modern slavery and its impact.
3. Shaping reforms – guiding the future of the Modern Slavery Act and holding businesses accountable.

How businesses can contribute to the fight against modern slavery

The fight against modern slavery is a shared responsibility, and while significant progress has been made, there is still much work to be done. Australia is now better equipped to tackle this issue, but businesses also have a critical role to play. It’s essential for organisations to comply with the Modern Slavery Act, ensuring transparency and accountability within their operations and supply chains.

Here are key actions businesses can take to stay compliant:

• Audit your supply chains: Regularly assess your supply chains to identify and address any risks of modern slavery.
• Provide training and raise awareness: Equip your team with the knowledge to spot signs of exploitation through comprehensive training.
• Stay informed on legal reforms: Keep up-to-date with changes in the Modern Slavery Act to ensure your business remains compliant.
• Leverage compliance tools: Use resources like Safetrac’s Modern Slavery Compliance Toolkit to make compliance easier, from training to audits.

Staying informed about upcoming reforms and taking meaningful steps to address slavery not only helps businesses meet their legal obligations but also demonstrates their commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility. By doing so, businesses contribute to the global fight against modern slavery and help create a more just and sustainable world.

Role of compliance in combatting Modern Slavery

By ensuring transparency and ethical sourcing, companies can eliminate exploitation from their operations and supply chains. As consumers demand ethically produced goods, businesses are increasingly held accountable for their practices. Compliance not only meets legal obligations but also demonstrates a commitment to ethical standards and a sustainable, just global economy.

Empower your business with Safetrac’s Modern Slavery Compliance Toolkit

At Safetrac, we believe protecting your business starts with empowering your people. Our Modern Slavery Toolkit is designed to make compliance straightforward, offering practical, easy-to-understand training that helps both organizations and employees navigate the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act.

Here’s how we can support you:

• Simplified compliance: Safetrac’s toolkit offers a legally reviewed framework to help you meet compliance requirements, from training to audits.
• Centralised hub: Our Compliance Platform makes managing training, reporting, and compliance tasks easy. Track progress, manage content, and identify knowledge gaps all in one place.

Protect your business and people

As we observe International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, it’s a perfect time to ensure your business is prepared to combat modern slavery risks. By educating your team with Safetrac’s comprehensive online training solutions, you can help protect your organisation and prevent the harmful impacts of modern slavery in your supply chain.