Category: Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery Arrests in Sheffield

Modern slavery operation leads to 18 arrests

“03 August 2023

A number of people have been safeguarded after being identified as potential victims of modern slavery, and a further 18 arrested, as part of ongoing activity to tackle exploitation in South Yorkshire.”

Yesterday (2 August), working in partnership with HMRC, the Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit, the Government Agency Intelligence Network, the Immigration Service, the Department for Work and Pensions, the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and local environmental health teams, officers carried out a targeted day of action under Operation Duxford.”

South Yorkshire Police

Read the fully story HERE

Our one-day course on modern slavery tells you more about this evil trend and how to prevent in across your supply chains

image credit: “Slavery”by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Modern Slavery – how robust are your supply chains?

Chatting to a junior admin assistant in a today who was in the process of ordering business supplies, for a large organisation off, a well known auction site.

Nothing wrong with that I hear you say,

May be not but when I asked how they knew the products they were buying were compliant with the requirements of their organisations modern slavery policy I was met with a blank face!

Actions speak louder than words! All staff need to understand about the evils of Modern Slavery and policies need to be more than fancy front of house words on computer screen.

Our training helps

Image: “Slavery” by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Workers Watchdog to Tackle Modern Slavery

The government plans to launch a new workers’ watchdog to take over protecting the rights of UK workers.

The new body will be responsible for tackling modern slavery, enforcing the minimum wage and protecting agency workers.

BUT are you doing your part, do you provide or engage with Modern Slavery Awareness Training to complete robust supplier audits?.

Concrew Training can help. Find out more about our Modern Slavery Awareness Training

Currently these tasks are spread across three different bodies.

It said it was looking at extra curbs targeting the garment sector including banning sales if brands’ behaviour does not improve.

The government is looking at these specific measures after reports of serious problems in the industry, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said.

Find out more here

Image Credit:“Slavery”by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Modern Slavery Awareness Training

29.8 million modern slaves in bondage today

Modern slavery remains rife in the UK, car washes, nail bars, crop picking, and manufacturing are just a few of the more frequent areas modern slavery is found. The truth is it can be found almost anywhere, indeed back in 2017 a man was jailed for keeping his wife in slavery. We all need to take more action NOW!

Many businesses view price as a key determinant when purchasing products and services but those that deliver the lowest prices may be more reliant on slave labour. UK businesses have a duty to remove slavery from their supply chains.

So much so that businesses now need to register policy statements with the Government

Having strict anti-slavery policies, coupled with supply chain audits and increased management/staff awareness are effective ways to combat modern slavery.

Our modern day slavery awareness course is a great starting point

Image:“Slavery”by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Modern Slavery Awareness Training

28.8 million slaves are still in bonadage today

Modern slavery awareness training helps motivate and empower staff to look out for the signs of modern day slavery, report it and help companies remove it from their supply chains

Modern day slavery is rife in all parts of the world, including the UK. All companies have a moral and many a legal obligation to remove it from their supply chains.

When then are ineffective in doing so and Modern Slavery is suspected by a third party the consequences for business can be disasterous.

Boohoo was a recent example. As soon as it was alleged that some of its supply chain workers may have been exploited several major retailers removed Boohoo products from sale.

No business can be afford to be tainted by Modern Slavery.

Having a no tollerance policy, clear reporting and investigating processes and regular awareness training for staff and managers delivers real benefits.

Our one-day awareness training course is suitable for all, they are delivered on your premises and offer superb value for money.

MODERN DAY SLAVERY AWARENESS COURSE OVERVIEW

Given the harm and potential costs of Modern Day Slavery refresher training should be run every year and for all staff.

As well as our pre-developed course we can align to your policues and procedures and help you develop your own in house training modules too.

Image: “Slavery” by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Will George Floyd reaction reduce Modern Slavery ?

The world wide response to the the death of George Floyd cannot be allowed to go unnoticed. True it is the news, on the TV and in every corner of social media.

Demonstrations and rioting are wide spread. Attack the police, loot a some shops, pull down some statues, but why? to what avail? what is the goal?

Equality for all? probably? maybe? But what about those still in Slavery?

History books tell us that the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 and the 13th amendement of 1867 in the USA marked the end of slavery. But 150 plus year later Slavery is still rife.

The death of George Floyd has highlighted how wide spread the publics dislike of inequality and slavery is and makes this the perfect time to fight against modern slavery.

If all western businesses increased staff awareness of the problem, audited their supply chains and had a positive action plan to fight modern day slavery it would make a huge difference.

Running awareness training sessions for managers and staff is an effective starting point.

Image: “Slavery” by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0

Modern Slavery Government Guidance March 2020

26 March 2020, the UK Government updated its guidance on identifying, reporting and responding to Modern Slavery.

Modern Slavery is not limited to high volume production in far off lands, such as face masks, much of it is here today; right under our noses in small scale business.

Supply chain audits and awareness training for staff are essential.

Modern Slavery is often found in agriculture, factories, cleaning, nail bars and hand car washes but no business is immune. All businesses and organisations need to raise awareness of the suffering modern slavery brings, teach people what to look out for and how to report concerns.

The Modern slavery Act requires organisations operating in the UK, with a worldwide turnover of £36million or more to publish details on the steps they have taken in the last 12 months to remove slavery and human trafficking from their supply chains.

Latest Government guidance includes:

Full details of the UK Governments response can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/modern-slavery

header image credit: “Slavery” by futuredrkate used under CC BY 2.0