Modern Slavery

With 40.3 million victims in forced labour estimated by the Global Slavery Index, and estimated 136,000 victims in the UK alone, there are now more people enslaved than there have ever been in human history. Labour exploitation is a lucrative business for organised crime and their willing participants and the built environment is no exception.

The Construction Protocol

 In April 2017, the Construction Industry Charter was launched, which brought together a coalition of organisations committed to eradicating slavery and other unethical labour practices within the construction supply chain. Together they have committed to:

1. Develop tools, materials and training that support the development of best practice approaches to the issue of business and human rights
2. Support best practice through partnerships and research
3. Use their influence, and working with relevant authorities, to support the abolition of illegal and unethical practices whenever they are found

This charter now supports the work undertaken by the government’s Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority and the Construction Protocol, of which the Supply Chain Sustainability School and Action Sustainability (the School’s delivery partner) are signatories.