Published 03 September 2024
Modern slavery within supply chains has become a tremendous business risk, but many companies are only now beginning to grasp its relevance and significance. We are now at a pivotal moment in history when the private sector holds the potential to do much more to help reduce modern slavery than public organizations ever could. Here’s what they can do.
“When I was 21 years old, I heard that many factories in Thailand offered work along the ocean, peeling shrimp. So I went there. I didn’t know which one had work, so I just chose one. The man who managed the factory said I could have a job. We negotiated a salary of US$50 a month. For me, this was a huge amount of money. But he said I couldn’t leave the factory. I was okay with this. I needed the money, so I agreed. After working 18 hours a day for nearly two months, I went to the employer and asked for my pay. He smiled and laughed before saying, ‘I am sorry, I forgot to mention to you that it costs me US$54 a month to keep you here and I am only paying you US$50. So you owe me money. Until you pay it back, you cannot leave this place.’ For three years, I was not able to leave. With armed security guards, barbed wire, and high walls, I couldn’t escape. None of us could. The more I worked, the more debt I owed. With so much work and nothing in return, my heart was filled with hopelessness and despair. If that fire hadn’t brought the authorities, I would never have been able to leave. I lost three years of my life. Gone… stolen from me. Something I can never get back again.” – A Myanmar victim exploited in Thailand
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The above testimonial illustrates the traumatic experiences that many workers face when subjected to modern slavery – the recruitment, transport, receipt, and harboring of people to exploit their labor. Globally, it is estimated that there are over 50 million men, women, and children in modern-day slavery today, with more than half of them in Asia alone. There are more modern slaves today than at any other time in history, according to United Nations (UN) estimates. The international response to combating modern slavery has been insufficient for over three decades. While there has been some success among non-governmental organizations, the UN, and governments in tackling the issue, most victims remain unidentified, and most cases of abuse remain hidden in plain sight.
Research from the International Labour Organization indicates that 86% of the 27 million people in forced labor cases are found within the private sector, highlighting the pervasive nature of modern slavery in manufacturing. This has become a significant business risk. Recently, there has been a noticeable surge in class action lawsuits targeting major retail companies operating especially in the fisheries, chocolate, and palm oil sectors when instances of modern slavery are uncovered, ultimately causing reputational damage to the entire industry. Companies that fail to incorporate modern slavery-related metrics into their environmental, social, and governance frameworks also face limited investment opportunities and consumer dissatisfaction.
We are now at a pivotal moment in history when the private sector can do much more to help reduce modern slavery than public organizations ever could, writes Matt Friedman, CEO of The Mekong Club. By leveraging their resources, technology, expertise, and global reach, companies can collaborate with law enforcement agencies, international organizations, and non-profit groups to disrupt modern slavery networks, innovate in supply chain management, and raise awareness. The private sector can also provide employment and training to survivors, offering them a path to independence and recovery. The sheer influence and resources of the private sector makes it a powerful force in the fight against modern slavery.
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Author
Matthew Friedman
Matt Friedman is an international human trafficking expert with more than 35 years’ experience. He is CEO of The Mekong Club, an organization of Hong Kong’s leading businesses which have joined forces to help end all forms of modern slavery.
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