Modern slavery chains

“Labour exploitation is rife in UK construction” according to BSI report

  • 30 Jan 2017

The British Standards Institution’s Trafficking & Supply Chain Slavery Patterns Index has indicated that the UK is exposed to an increased risk of modern day slavery entering the country from sixty-six percent of global nations. 

According to the Index; Russia, Slovakia, India and Pakistan are ranked ‘severe risk’ source countries from which ‘modern day slaves’ enter the UK.

The BSI Trafficking & Supply Chain Slavery Patterns Index has been established to help organisations assess and avoid the risks posed by slavery and trafficking, by looking at the intersection and relationship between source countries of displaced people and the likelihood of being exploited on arrival in destination countries.

Exploitations include human rights abuses, security threats and business continuity risks.

Fighting modern slavery in construction

Since the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015, slavery in global supply chains has become a major concern to the UK construction industry.

A 2016 report, titled Hidden in Plain Site – Modern Slavery in the Construction Industry, found that throughout the global construction industry and its material supply chains, modern slavery is common, concealed and subject to inadequate prevention, policing and prosecution.

The International Labour Organisation has estimated that there are 21 million people in forced labour around the world, generating profits in the private economy of $150 billion. It is thought that 13,000 of modern slaves are currently employed in the UK.

Kevin Hyland, OBE, The UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, commented: “Evidence suggests labour exploitation is rife in the UK. Construction, agriculture, hospitality and seafood are core sectors in my work against modern slavery. Along with statutory agencies, government departments and NGOs, it is incumbent on companies to drive out any forms of exploitation.”

The reports follow a pledge by UK Prime Minister Theresa May last July to spend £33 million on tackling modern slavery, describing it as “the great human rights issue of our time”.

Leave a Reply

Latest news

Altro

Altro distils style and performance at English Spirit

English Spirit Distillery has used an extensive package of Altro products front and back of house, in their new visitor centre café, shop and viewing area for the working distillery.

Posted in Articles, Bathrooms, Bedrooms & Washrooms, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Floors, Interior Design & Construction, Interiors, Kitchens, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Timber Buildings and Timber Products, Walls

Abloy

Abloy UK creates bespoke locking solution for Secure Information Boxes

Abloy UK has supplied The Safety Letterbox Company Ltd with a bespoke Sentry CL811 Camlock for use in its Secure Information Boxes, assisting life safety and complying with new regulations and legislation for high rise buildings.

Posted in Access Control & Door Entry Systems, Architectural Ironmongery, Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Regulations & Accreditations, Building Services, Case Studies, Facility Management & Building Services, Health & Safety, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Security and Fire Protection

CUPA

CUPA: CUPACLAD enhances hotel aesthetics with a creative natural slate façade

Situated at the northern edge of a newly developed retail park near Bristol, the Abbey Wood Travelodge was conceived as part of the company’s new Budget-Luxe line of hotels – it features CUPACLAD, from CUPA PIZARRAS.

Posted in Articles, Building Industry News, Building Products & Structures, Building Systems, Case Studies, Cladding, Concrete, Cement, Admixtures, Facades, Posts, Restoration & Refurbishment, Retrofit & Renovation, Walls

Origin