YORcivil2 reposted this
Please take note: this shocking (but sadly all too common) scenario could just as easily be happening in the construction industry - right now, on our sites. As we know from the work we did last year in support of Operation Aidant and the National Crimes Agency: Particularly vulnerable are non-specialist/ casual and general labouring trades and those further down the tiers of the subcontract supply chain, where all too often we rely on blanket reference to Modern Slavery in our procurement documents and simple written contract clauses as the only means to safeguard this from occurring- overly relying on others to do the actual physical checks and carry out the necessary due diligence in person. Emma-Jane’s post and the BBC report (below) is a sobering read, and contains the advice and links for us all to do our bit to help tackle this: Make sure everyone in your business knows how to #SpottheSigns of slavery.
Modern Slavery & Human Rights Due Diligence | Sustainable Procurement | Built Environment | Just Transition l BS25700 | Trainer & Speaker
16 victims forced to work at McDonalds restaurant and in factories supplying major supermarkets in Cambridgeshire, Herts and North London. Some missed #redflags and key points over a 4 year period (ending in 2019) included: 📌Gang members sitting in on interviews as interpreters - this should always be a red flag to do additional due diligence 📌Victims working up to 100 hours a week. One victim worked a 30-hour shift. Did other workers not notice this? My guess is that they noticed, but hadn't been trained on how to spot the signs and the risks of slavery and labour exploitation, and most importantly, how and why to report any concerns 📌Multiple victims with the same registered address and at least four of their wages were paid into the same bank account. Wages were also paid into bank accounts in other people's names. 📌One of the retailers referenced site visits to check food safety, but no visits or social audits to check worker welfare 📌There's no mention of if, or how the retailers supported the survivors after they'd been saved. One of the key actions all businesses can take away here - make sure everyone in your business knows how to #SpottheSigns of slavery, why it's important that they report any concerns, and make it EASY to report concerns. Provide multiple routes to flag concerns, including anonymous options- both internal and external (Unseen UK). Support your supply chain to ensure that they are doing the same. Use posters and apps - and in different languages. Include in inductions, toolbox talks. #COMMUNICATE regularly! The Supply Chain Sustainability School (UK) signposts to loads of free, ready to use resources to help businesses with their modern slavery due diligence. Take a look here https://lnkd.in/ecpgMi-m https://lnkd.in/ePy4U_XJ