More than 40 million people globally are estimated to be living in slavery, including 4,300 in Australia (Global Slavery Index, 2016).

Anglicare welcomes today’s important step in helping to stamp out practices such as forced labour and human trafficking, as our first Modern Slavery Act became law.

Businesses with a turnover of more than $100 million will be required to report on the steps they are taking to eliminate modern slavery risks in their supply chains, providing a new level of transparency and accountability around their manufacturing and procurement processes.

While many people find it hard to imagine that slavery is an issue close to home for Australians, our supply chains are closely linked with businesses in the Asia-Pacific region where more than two thirds of the victims of modern slavery are estimated to be based.

Many products, including cocoa, coffee, cotton, sugar, garments, rice, shoes, bricks and floor coverings, are therefore at high risk of being produced by forced labour and child labour.

The risk is often hidden down the supply chain. For example, businesses may purchase clothing from a reputable company, but the zippers, buttons and cotton used in the garment might be sourced from other suppliers, whose business practices become increasingly less transparent the further down the supply chain they are.

To see your own personal connection to slavery, see slavery footprint

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