THREE issues stand out from the campaign against modern slavery promoted by the National Crime Agency.
One is that, despite the increasing amount of information available, most people do not understand that slavery is widespread within the UK, or if they do, don’t know how to spot it or if they do don’t know what to do about it.
Second, that modern slavery is found in every form of economic activity in the UK - food, shoes, clothing, social care, fishing, hotels, leisure and construction, for example.
Third, that the requirements on companies to investigate and report on slavery in their supply chains is far too weak.
Most companies are not required to report on what they are doing to remove slavery from their suppliers and those that are required largely make very bland statements which describe aspirations rather than report firm actions.
It is still too easy for companies, directly or indirectly, to exploit vulnerable workers.
Gary Craig, Emeritus Professor of Social Justice, Galtres Grove, York
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