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Tackling modern slavery in supply chains

18 May 2023

From 1 April 2023 government departments must follow updated guidance on identifying and managing the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains. Alex Minett looks at what’s changed and discusses some steps all organisations can take to prevent modern slavery within their networks.

MODERN SLAVERY is on the increase. The International Labour Organization (ILO) reports the Covid-19 pandemic has fuelled a surge in extreme poverty which is considered a major factor in driving forced labour. Recent UK government statistics reflect this; November 2022 saw the highest number of potential modern slavery victims referred to the Home Office for investigation since their National Referral Mechanism (NRM) began in 2009 – a 38% increase on the same quarter the previous year. 

More worrying is these figures are likely just the tip of the iceberg. In 2021, 12,727 potential modern slavery victim referrals were made to the NRM by ‘first responders’ – the police, councils, border force, and selected charities authorised to refer. Yet, analysis from the Centre for Social Justice estimates there could be at least 100,000 victims in the UK, with the actual number expected to be even greater. 

While you could argue that increased victim referrals correlate with better awareness and identification of modern slavery, there’s no disputing the sad reality that the figures still represent large-scale exploitation of vulnerable people, and everyone has their part to play in seeing it eradicated. The government’s latest PPN is, therefore, not just best practice for government supply chains but helpful guidance for all industry sectors looking to take a proactive approach to prevent modern slavery.

What is the law on modern slavery? 

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 outlines businesses’ legal responsibility to source goods and services legitimately and ethically. In the UK, any company that meets the four criteria below must publish a slavery and human trafficking statement each financial year. It should set out what steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their business and supply chains. If no steps have been taken, the statement must also confirm this.

The criteria are:

  • If it is a ‘body corporate’ or a partnership, wherever incorporated or formed
  • If it carries on a business, or part of a business, in the UK
  • If it supplies goods or services
  • If it has an annual turnover of £36 million or more.

Eradicating modern slavery isn’t just a problem for big businesses, however. Many contracts and tender documents now include anti-slavery clauses and request compliance with the Act as standard. This means smaller businesses, irrespective of turnover, should be prepared to demonstrate their actions to prevent the risk of modern slavery in their supply chains.

Taking action on modern slavery

Although PPN 02/23 - Tackling Modern Slavery in Government Supply Chains is weighted towards government procurement and supplier management, the guidance can be helpful for businesses operating in the private sector too. It sets out four areas of activity and associated actions: identifying and managing risks in new procurementsassessing existing contractstaking action when victims of modern slavery are identified and training. 

1. Identifying and managing risks in new procurement

Previously government departments were advised to identify and assess the risk of modern slavery in a new supplier according to a table of six core characteristics: industry type, type of workforce, supplier location, the context in which the supplier operates, commodity type and business/supply chain model. These criteria remain the same for the revised PPN but include an update to the sectors of concern to include cotton, PPE and polysilicon. 

Where an organisation is deemed to be at high risk of modern slavery, there is a new requirement for supply chain information to be supplied at the selection stage of new procurements. 

According to the guide, new procurements should be designed in line with the associated risk level, including (if appropriate) application of the Social Value Model. 

Key actions in this section also include reviewing and amending operating procedures and contract management processes and any related documentation in line with the updated guide. 

2. Assessing existing contracts

Actions in this area involve undertaking risk assessments on existing contracts and carrying out supply chain mapping exercises. The guidance also recommends strengthening contract management to manage risks and working with suppliers towards progressive improvement. Collaborating with suppliers to encourage transparency and ensure suppliers are not afraid to highlight issues as they arise is also key. 

The importance of proportionality is emphasised to avoid unnecessary burdens on SMEs and VCSEs.

3. Taking action when victims of modern slavery are identified

Organisations must address modern slavery and human rights abuses immediately and proportionately. Transparency is key here, with a recommendation to ensure suppliers work openly and proactively to identify and resolve any issues and change working practices. 

In some instances, abuses may be a consequence of how an industry is organised. In such cases, a longer-term approach to address the root cause might be appropriate. 

Contracts should only be terminated as a last resort.

4. Training 

Ongoing training is essential to ensure staff involved in contract procurement and management can identify the risks and ensure that suspected instances of modern slavery are handled correctly.

All relevant staff should be made aware of the Modern Slavery Helpline on: 08000 121 700 or online.

This quick reference guidance provides further information on actions recommended in the PPN to mitigate the risk in supply chains.

Look for contractor verification 

With strengthening contract management, a key focus of the updated PPN, organisations may want to work with a supply chain risk management expert to verify their contractor base and bolster supply chain due diligence.

For example, many CHAS contractors are now qualified to the CHAS Elite standard which incorporates the Common Assessment Standard, a qualification that assesses businesses across 13 elements, including modern slavery. Meanwhile, CHAS is helping many more contractors to work towards this standard and all CHAS contractors are provided with free expert advice and guidance on modern slavery including an anti-modern-day slavery and people trafficking policy template. 

Clients can access CHAS accredited contractors via the free CHAS Client portal, which enables users to search for organisations via trade, qualification level and location. The portal also includes a dashboard that offers companies complete visibility of their projects, the subcontractors in their supply chain network, and their individual compliance. 

Conclusion

Modern slavery remains high on the political agenda, but achieving systemic change requires a unified approach. Alongside robust risk management processes, the latest PPN offers best practice guidance for all sectors to draw upon to drive effective human rights due diligence in their supply chains. 

Alex Minett is head of products and markets at CHAS

For more information visit http://www.chas.co.uk/ 

 
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