Does your business need to give a modern slavery statement?

Introduction

Modern slavery can taint the supply chain of any Australian business. To mitigate this risk the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires certain entities and encourages others to give annual modern slavery statements to the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.

What is modern slavery?

Generally modern slavery refers to serious crimes and human rights abuses such as human trafficking, forced and child labour, and forced marriages. Modern slavery remains prevalent within Australia and across the globe. Recent statistics published by the International Labour Organisation estimated that 50 million people were subjected to slavery on any given day in 2021.

Modern slavery is increasingly an issue in commercial litigation