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Modern Slavery Risk

WHAT IS

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking?

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking are grave human rights violations involving the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion. Modern Slavery encompasses various forms, including forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking for labour or sexual exploitation, child labour, and more. Victims are often trapped in situations where they're unable to escape due to threats, violence, or manipulation. Efforts to combat these issues involve international laws, awareness campaigns, and collaboration between governments, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies.

WHAT IS

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk?

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk refers to the potential vulnerability of individuals, communities, or industries to being exploited or victimised by these practices. Various factors contribute to this risk, including economic disparities, lack of education, unstable political environments, and weak legal protections. Industries that rely on low-skilled labour, such as agriculture, construction, and manufacturing, are particularly susceptible. Businesses need to assess and address these risks in their supply chains to ensure they are not inadvertently supporting or benefiting from these unethical practices. This involves due diligence, monitoring, and implementing measures to prevent and mitigate such risks.

Master 1 - Infographic 18 - Modern Slavery - R03

WHAT IS A

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessment?

Geographical Locations

Assessing regions known for high prevalence of these practices or with weak legal frameworks.

Industry Sectors

Identifying sectors prone to forced labour or exploitation due to their labour-intensive nature or lack of oversight.

Supplier Relationships

Evaluating suppliers' labour practices and sourcing methods to ensure ethical standards.

Recruitment Practices

Examining how workers are recruited and whether there's potential for deception or coercion.

Working Conditions

Investigating the conditions under which employees work, including wages, hours, and safety.

Customer Fraud

Some customers may engage in fraudulent activities, such as providing false information to receive discounts, returning stolen merchandise, or making fake insurance claims.

Migration Patterns

Understanding how migration patterns might expose individuals to exploitation during their journey or at their destination.

Legislation and Regulation

Staying informed about laws and regulations related to human trafficking and slavery in relevant jurisdictions.

WHO MUST CONDUCT A

Modern day slavery or human trafficking risk assessment?

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessments are important for a wide range of organisations, especially those that operate globally or have complex supply chains. This includes:

Businesses

Companies across various industries, from manufacturing and retail to hospitality and agriculture, should conduct risk assessments to ensure their operations and supply chains are free from Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

NGOs working to combat human rights abuses and exploitation can conduct risk assessments to understand the scope and nature of the problems they're addressing.

Government Agencies

Government bodies responsible for enforcing anti-trafficking laws and policies can conduct assessments to identify high-risk sectors and areas that require focused attention.

Investors and Shareholders

Investors and shareholders concerned about ethical and responsible business practices may encourage the companies they invest in to conduct risk assessments as part of their due diligence.

Suppliers and Subcontractors

Organisations that supply goods and services to other companies should assess their own operations to ensure they are not contributing to Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking.

Master 6 - Infographic 20 - Modern Slavery - R03
WHY SHOULD I CONDUCT A

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessment?

Conducting a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessment offers several compelling reasons for individuals and organisations:

Stakeholder Expectations

Many investors and customers are increasingly concerned about the ethical implications of their business relationships. Conducting risk assessments can help meet these expectations and attract socially responsible partners.

Legal Compliance

Many countries have implemented laws and regulations requiring businesses to prevent and address Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking within their operations and supply chains. Conducting a risk assessment helps ensure compliance with these legal obligations.

Reputation and Brand

Taking proactive steps to combat Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking enhances your organisation's reputation, fosters trust among customers, investors, and stakeholders, and protects your brand from association with unethical practices.

Supply Chain Resilience

By identifying and addressing potential risks, you can create a more resilient and sustainable supply chain, reducing the likelihood of disruptions caused by human rights violations.

Ethical Responsibility

Addressing Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking aligns with fundamental human rights principles and demonstrates a commitment to ethical business practices.

Mitigation of Risk

Fines, legal actions, and reputational damage resulting from involvement in Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking can have significant financial implications. A risk assessment helps mitigate these risks.

Employee Morale

Demonstrating a commitment to ethical practices can boost employee morale and engagement, fostering a positive workplace culture.

Contributing to Change

By identifying and addressing risk areas, you contribute to the broader efforts of eradicating Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking, making a positive impact on society.

Master 2 - Infographic 21 - Modern Slavery - R03
HOW TO CONDUCT A

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessment?

Conducting a Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessment involves a systematic process to identify and address potential risks within your operations and supply chains. Here's a general outline of the steps you can take:

Commitment and Leadership

Obtain commitment from senior management to prioritise this assessment and allocate necessary resources. Designate a responsible team or individual to oversee the process.

Scope and Objectives

Clearly define the scope of the assessment, including the geographic areas, industries, and suppliers to be covered. Set specific objectives for what you aim to achieve through the assessment.

Gather Information

Collect data on your supply chain, including suppliers, subcontractors, and other stakeholders. Obtain information about labour practices, working conditions, recruitment methods, and geographical risks.

Risk Identification

Analyse the collected data to identify potential risk areas. Consider factors such as high-risk sectors, countries with weak labour regulations, and suppliers with inadequate labour standards.

Assessment Criteria

Develop criteria to assess the severity and likelihood of risks. These criteria can include factors like geographical location, sector, labour conditions, and compliance with regulations.

Risk Assessment

Evaluate each identified risk based on your assessment criteria. Categorise risks as high, medium, or low based on their severity and likelihood.

Mitigation Strategies

Develop strategies to mitigate identified risks. This might involve enhancing due diligence, implementing monitoring mechanisms, conducting supplier audits, and promoting responsible recruitment practices.

Action Plan

Create an action plan that outlines the steps to be taken for each identified risk. Specify responsibilities, timelines, and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress.

Implementation

Execute the action plan, which may involve engaging with suppliers, enhancing contractual terms, conducting training for employees and suppliers, and implementing monitoring and reporting systems.

Monitoring and Review

Continuously monitor and review the effectiveness of your mitigation strategies. Adjust your approach based on new information, changing risk profiles, and emerging best practices.

Reporting and Communication

Regularly communicate your progress to stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, and suppliers. Transparent communication demonstrates your commitment to addressing these issues.

Continuous Improvement

Use the insights gained from the assessment to improve your organisation's approach to preventing Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. Incorporate lessons learned into future risk assessments.

WHAT RISK FACTORS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN CONDUCTING

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk assessments?

WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF OUR

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking risk and control module?

We’ve developed a modern slavery and human trafficking risk and control module based around the following risk areas:

Download our Modern Slavery Risk and Control Module Brochure

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The content module overview provides an introduction to modern slavery and outlines the necessity and methods for its implementation.

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