Slavery

The UK Modern Slavery Act - What you need to know and do to comply

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act”) became law in the UK on March 26, 2015 and came into force on October 29, 2015. Companies subject to the Act are now required to publish an anti-slavery statement as soon as possible (and within a maximum of six months) of the end of their financial year which falls on or after March 31, 2016.

What is the Modern Slavery Act?

The Act consolidates previous UK legislation tackling slavery, child labour, and human trafficking offences, and demands that organisations make public the steps they are taking to ensure that modern slavery offences are not taking place in either their business, or their supply chain.

Offences under the Act include:

• slavery, bonded, forced, or compulsory labour;
• human trafficking;
• criminal exploitation;
• sexual exploitation; and
• domestic servitude.