'Modern slavery' laws put Kiwi companies under pressure to stamp out abuse

A new law in the United Kingdom is putting pressure on New Zealand companies to track down slavery or human rights abuse in their supply chains.

Under the Modern Slavery Act, companies doing business in the UK are now required to publish an annual statement on slavery and human trafficking on their websites.

Firms have to either describe steps taken to ensure no such activity is taking place in their business and supply chains, or admit that nothing has been done.

Many Kiwi companies have a presence in the UK, and all of those with a turnover greater than £36 million (NZ$78 million) will be affected.

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Daniel King, a consultant at the Nature of Business who helps companies identify labour risks, said other countries were taking the law change seriously.

"In Denmark, everyone's falling over themselves to put something in place."

King said New Zealand organisations should definitely be concerned, with abuses not just taking place in supply chains overseas.

"There are certainly cases of employees, especially migrants, being exploited here in our country."

Equal Employment Opportunities Commissioner Jackie Blue said there had been cases of exploitation in the likes of the hospitality, horticulture, viticulture and dairy industries.

"People think it's not happening in our backyard, but it certainly is."

Blue said some operators would be aware that abuse of labour rights was taking place, and needed to be dealt with seriously.

Other businesses might be oblivious of what was going on, with more education "desperately needed".

Blue said the majority of businesses with overseas supply chains would not necessarily have thought about labour rights issues.

But with "huge momentum" gathering internationally, Kiwi companies would increasingly be expected to have a policy in place.

Blue said some companies were proactively leading the way, including the likes of Coca-Cola, Unilever and Countdown.

The UK law change was a response to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Eight countries have created national action plans to implement the principles, while another 30 or so are developing plans.

Blue said developing a national action plan for New Zealand would not happen overnight.

from
http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/better-business/80428954/Modern-slavery-laws-put-Kiwi-companies-under-pressure-to-stamp-out-abuse