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20 January 2017 / Chris Syder
Issue: 7730 / Categories: Features , Human rights , Employment
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Chris Syder & Eva Camus-Smith follow the fight against Modern Slavery

  • ​UK government introduces new Modern Slavery taskforce.

  • 40% increase in referrals of potential victims.

  • Business lip service risks far more onerous legislation.

It should come as no surprise that the crimes of Modern Slavery remain a high priority for the UK government: it was Theresa May, as Home Secretary, who brought into effect the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015).

MSA 2015 itself provides UK law enforcement with significant powers of prosecution. An individual found guilty of holding another in slavery or human trafficking may be sentenced to life imprisonment. During 2016 we saw not only how the provisions of MSA 2015 will be enforced against UK businesses but also the negative PR created for larger businesses within the perpetrator’s supply chain. For instance, Lithuanian migrants who were trafficked to work in UK farms producing eggs are suing a Kent-based gangmaster operation (DJ Houghton) and its directors. The migrants were working in supply chains producing premium free range eggs for McDonald’s, Tesco, Asda, M&S, and the Sainsbury’s Woodland brand.

Modern Slavery taskforce

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