The Modern Slavery Act

  • Updated

LAW DETAILS

COUNTRY
The United Kingdom
CATEGORY
International Trade: Forced Labour
LEGAL CODE TITLE
The Modern Slavery Act 2015
LEGAL CODE REFERENCE
2015 c. 30
REVISION DATE
March 26, 2015
LEGAL JURISDICTION
National / International
LAW REQUIREMENT TYPE
Disclosure
FREQUENCY
Ongoing
LINK TO FULL TEXT OF LAW
 
SUMMARY OR KEY PROVISION OF THE LAW
The UK Modern Slavery Act, in effect as of October 29, 2015, contains transparency in supply chains provisions that require all companies turning over at least £36 million annually that conduct business in the UK to disclose the measures they are taking to combat slavery and human trafficking. The law does not specify what types of measures companies should disclose or have any requirement regarding how much detail companies should provide. A company may comply by noting in its statement that it has not taken any steps to combat slavery or human trafficking. The statement must be published on the company’s website in a prominent place. There are no penalties for noncompliance. The Act also creates minimum sentences for slavery crimes, introduces a defense for victims of slavery and trafficking, and grants the secretary of state and law enforcement additional authority related to combatting slavery, among other enforcement-related measures. Currently, the legislation applies to commercial organisations that:
  • Are a body corporate or a partnership (described as an ‘organisation’ in this service), wherever incorporated
  • Carry on a business, or part of a business, in the UK
  • Supply goods or services
  • Have an annual turnover of £36 million or more
 
Organizations are strongly encourage to engage with Modern Slavery Registry, a website operated and maintained by the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre that collects and hosts companies’ modern slavery statements under the Act. This Registry’s governance committee includes the Freedom Fund, Humanity United, Freedom United, Anti-Slavery International, the Ethical Trading Initiative, CORE Coalition, UNICEF UK, Focus on Labour Exploitation, Trade Unions Congress, and Oxfam GB. (Source: US Department of Labor)
 
LEGAL CONSEQUENCES FOR NON-COMPLIANCE
There are no penalties for noncompliance. Although The UK Gov can seek court injunctions to further pursue non-compliance.

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