Calling time on human trafficking

Ahead of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (30 July), IOSH is also urging businesses to ensure they are doing all they can to prevent human rights violations both within their organisations and in their supply chains.

The latest global estimates suggest nearly 50 million people were living in modern slavery in 2022. This includes those impacted by human trafficking, forced labour and forced marriage.

Improving and enforcing laws

With around a quarter of modern slavery victims being children, tackling this is the theme for World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.

IOSH believes there is a need global, national and sectorial strategies and action to tackle and eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour while also ensuring the provision of a safe and healthy working environment.

It requires global efforts for implementing the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, improvements in laws, enforcing laws and having more robust due diligence processes with transparency, and awareness raising in place to combat modern slavery and other human rights violations in business and supply chains.

Ruth Wilkinson, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at IOSH, said: “Legislative developments such as the Australian Modern Slavery Act in 2018 and the introduction of the Modern Slavery Act in 2015 in the UK have been steps in the right direction, but we are now seeing signs of stagnation and millions of people still being impacted by the worst forms of labour exploitation.

"We must remember also that these workers will be exposed to poor working conditions and practices and health and safety dangers.

Working to combat modern slavery

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is organised by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

IOSH supports this call and is urging businesses to be aware, take action and play their part as well. The Institution contributed to the publication in 2022 of the standard BS 25700 (Organizational responses to modern slavery – Guidance), which will now be part of an upcoming ISO 37200 – Guidance for the prevention, identification and response to human trafficking, forced labour, and modern slavery.

IOSH has previously called for business practices to identify and manage modern slavery risks in line with other aspects of their other environmental, social and corporate governance polices. It has also advocated for the UK government to stronger align with current trends on mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation.

In its Tackling modern slavery together white paper, it called for enhancements to reporting requirements and for increased training and awareness around modern slavery.

Find out more about World Day Against Trafficking in Persons.