Modern Slavery Act reporting requirements – the importance of training

With the UK’s Modern Slavery Act requiring company action from April 1st, an Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) study has found that over 70 per cent of brands believe that there is a likelihood of modern slavery occurring at some point within their supply chains.

Coupled with the fact that an estimated 12,000 companies will have to report at a senior level against the Act, company boards are growing understandably concerned about reporting requirements.

This has led to many organisations offering advice and courses. Yet, according to ETI’s Knowledge and Learning spokesperson, Damien Egan, “most modern slavery courses currently available only cover criminal elements of the problem – case studies, how to spot the signs, who to contact in specific cases.”

As a membership organisation bringing together companies, trade unions and charities, and as the UK’s leading voice on ethical trade and worker rights, ETI has designed a one-day workshop that takes a multi-stakeholder perspective and targets specific business sectors.

Damien Egan said: “ETI’s workshops will enable companies to consider who will be reading and reviewing their Modern Slavery Statement and what should inform it. While there are many approaches to due diligence and remediation, our approach is informed by the ETI Base Code – our internationally recognised code of labour conduct, as well as international law and guidance.”

The workshop also includes perspectives from ETI member companies which have participated in pilot programmes, as well as trade unions and charities that will be scrutinising company policy and practice.

Taking into account the differing needs of business sectors, ETI is offering two sector-specific workshops and one general workshop in its central London offices and bespoke training on request.

• 08 March: Modern Slavery Act – Is your business ready? (All sectors)
• 09 March: Modern Slavery Act – Is your business ready? (Apparel sector)
• 14 March: Modern Slavery Act – Is your business ready? (Food & farming sector)

The Act requires both UK and foreign companies that carry out business in the UK and have a global annual turnover of more than £36 million to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement for each financial year.

The definition of modern slavery is also broad – including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking – as are the sectors covered, which comprises all goods and services. Consequently, companies below the £36 million threshold, yet providing either goods or services to a company over the threshold may well be asked by the larger company to report on their actions.

 Companies wanting to book places on ETI’s workshops, should email training@eti.org.uk, call +44(0) 207 841 4350, or book online at Modern Slavery Act: is your business ready?

Further information for Jane Moyo, Acting Communications Manager, Ethical Trading Initiative on +44 (0)20 7841 4358