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One legislation update that appears to have slipped under the radar for many is the Modern Slavery Act 2015. However, for some organisations, particularly bigger ones, there are obligations on you under this law.
22 January 2016
Insight
Whilst “slavery” seems an old-fashioned word, don’t be deceived. Read on to find out what your obligations may be.
Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires large commercial organisations to publically state the actions they have taken ensure that their business and supply chains are slavery-free.
Although the Modern Slavery Act 2015 is now in force it does give employers some breathing space and the obligation to provide public statements doesn’t kick in until after 31 March 2015.
If you are a commercial organisation, you must produce an anti-slavery statement if:
If you are required to produce an anti-slavery statement then it must set out the actions your organisation has taken to ensure that your business and supply chains are free from slavery. That is the only obligation as such.
However, we have had some useful guidance and the statement may include (and in my advice should include) information about your:
Slavery is not something that most businesses expressly deal with within their business, nor is it common to have policies and procedures on this. That means therefore that there are q few action points if you are going to have to provide a statement.
Your first statement should refer to your financial year ending after 31 March 2016.
In the case of a company, the statement must be approved by the board and signed by a director.
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