New guidance to reduce risk of modern slavery
28 August 2014
New guidance to help reduce the risk of modern slavery in supply chains has been launched by industry initiative Stronger Together, and welcomed by some recruitment companies.
Thu, 28 Aug 2014 | By Sarah Marquet
New guidance to help reduce the risk of modern slavery in supply chains has been launched by industry initiative Stronger Together, and welcomed by some recruitment companies.
The Stronger Together initiative was launched in October last year to reduce the risk of modern slavery in supply chains, and was developed by the Association of Labour Providers (ALP), the GLA, Migrant Help, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and major retailers.
A statement, issued by Stronger Together, said the food and agricultural sector supply chain was targeted by “criminal gangs and exploitative individuals who subject vulnerable people to the worst forms of hidden labour exploitation”.
It said in 2012, 29% of cases of trafficking for forced labour reported to the UK Human Trafficking Centre occurred within these sectors.
Two Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)-licensed recruiters spoken to by recruiter.co.uk said such guidance was always a good thing, but being licensed meant they already followed strict criteria.
Scarborough-based Castle Employment Agency senior administrator Jo Rothwell said the potential for GLA audits meant they always followed strict criteria to ensure the wellbeing of people they placed.
Those people work mainly in forestry and, at this time of year, in potato grading, she told Recruiter.
Manchester-based Network Recruitment industrial division director John Acton said such guidance was always welcome, especially when it dealt with safeguarding people.
He too said the company followed strict guidelines, “and I would like to think most people operate like ourselves.
“But you always get the odd one that will try and cut corners.”
The new guidance, ‘Transparency in the UK Food Supply Chain – Guidance on ensuring ethical labour standards’, was launched yesterday and outlines best practice for UK-based growers and producers.
It specifically encourages businesses to incorporate a three-step approach into management practices, including mapping and risk-assessing the supply chain; setting and agreeing to standards with key labour suppliers; and working in partnership to ensure due diligence with those agreed standards.
Just last week, Recruiter reported the rescue of 14 Romanians in an alleged case of human trafficking and labour exploitation.
Two alleged offenders appeared in court charged with a total of 50 offences. They are expected to appear again tomorrow [Friday, 29 August].
The Stronger Together initiative was launched in October last year to reduce the risk of modern slavery in supply chains, and was developed by the Association of Labour Providers (ALP), the GLA, Migrant Help, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and major retailers.
A statement, issued by Stronger Together, said the food and agricultural sector supply chain was targeted by “criminal gangs and exploitative individuals who subject vulnerable people to the worst forms of hidden labour exploitation”.
It said in 2012, 29% of cases of trafficking for forced labour reported to the UK Human Trafficking Centre occurred within these sectors.
Two Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA)-licensed recruiters spoken to by recruiter.co.uk said such guidance was always a good thing, but being licensed meant they already followed strict criteria.
Scarborough-based Castle Employment Agency senior administrator Jo Rothwell said the potential for GLA audits meant they always followed strict criteria to ensure the wellbeing of people they placed.
Those people work mainly in forestry and, at this time of year, in potato grading, she told Recruiter.
Manchester-based Network Recruitment industrial division director John Acton said such guidance was always welcome, especially when it dealt with safeguarding people.
He too said the company followed strict guidelines, “and I would like to think most people operate like ourselves.
“But you always get the odd one that will try and cut corners.”
The new guidance, ‘Transparency in the UK Food Supply Chain – Guidance on ensuring ethical labour standards’, was launched yesterday and outlines best practice for UK-based growers and producers.
It specifically encourages businesses to incorporate a three-step approach into management practices, including mapping and risk-assessing the supply chain; setting and agreeing to standards with key labour suppliers; and working in partnership to ensure due diligence with those agreed standards.
Just last week, Recruiter reported the rescue of 14 Romanians in an alleged case of human trafficking and labour exploitation.
Two alleged offenders appeared in court charged with a total of 50 offences. They are expected to appear again tomorrow [Friday, 29 August].
