Latest news with #ModernSlaveryAct
The Independent
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Britain risks being ‘dumping ground' for forced labour goods, MPs warn
From 'Italian' tomato puree to solar panels, Britain risks becoming a ' dumping ground ' for goods made with Chinese forced labour, Parliament 's human rights watchdog has warned. The products are linked to forced labour in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where thousands are made to work under threat and guard. These goods then enter UK supermarkets and energy firms. The new report, from parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), found that the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the key framework governing forced labour, has no 'enforceable legislation' to actually stop such products entering the UK market. Unlike Westminster, key markets like the European Union and the United States have stronger laws to enforce bans on forced labour. This means that the goods are more likely to come to the UK. 'We are the weakest protected now in Europe,' former Conservative party leader and current co-chair of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Independent. 'People like Ed Miliband [Energy and Net Zero Secretary] are desperate for cheaper product and they don't want to have to have it slowed up or inaccessible.' 'Such is your desperation to get product in that you don't care what else you're going to attract.' The EU takes an enhanced due diligence approach, and the US takes a hardline approach where parts or goods made in Xinjiang are assumed to be made with forced labour unless proven otherwise. The cross-party group called on ministers to put in place the necessary due diligence and penalties to establish legal duty rather than the existing 'voluntary approach'. It said the government needed to determine who is responsible for preventing the import of tainted goods and what happens if they are confiscated. 'The UK's lack of equivalent legislation puts the UK at risk of becoming a dumping ground for goods that cannot be sold elsewhere,' the report said. But experts warn that even if ministers put these in place, due diligence is not a guarantee. 'The ability of UK companies to actually do due diligence and to police this is basically non-existent, which is why you're seeing this approach taken in the US,' Evan Fowler of IPAC, told The Independent. 'Not only has Beijing stopped publishing data that had previously been used by researchers to build a picture of what is happening, but the forced labour programme has likely been expanded,' Mr Fowler added, referencing a scheme which moves tens of thousands of people from Xinjiang to work in eastern factories. The report comes after a BBC investigation found 17 tomato products sold in UK supermarkets were likely made from tomatoes grown and picked in Xinjiang fields with forced labour. The supermarkets contested the findings. About a third of the world's tomatoes are grown in China and Xinjiang has the perfect climate for them. 'Cargo flights are permitted to bring goods directly from the capital of Xinjiang to the UK unhindered,' the JCHR said. Concerns have also been raised over base materials used to make solar panels imported into the UK - metallurgical grade silicon (MGS) and polysilicon. Xinjiang accounts for about 35 percent of the world's polysilicon and 32 percent of the world's MGS, according to a 2023 report on the Uyghur region and solar panels. In April the government passed an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to ban forced labour in its supply chains - which drew similar criticism for its lack of due diligence or penalties. It was also criticised for not covering private solar farms, who are eligible for generous state subsidies through Contracts For Difference. 'The government seems to turn a blind eye to slave labour,' Sir Iain told The Independent. However, tracing products back to their true origin is often complicated by a lack of transparency from producers. Firms often split their supply between countries to claim tainted products go elsewhere or choose not to disclose where parts were sourced. Some constituents who ask where solar panels are sourced are falsely told they are made in Germany, Sir Iain told The Independent. 'Well, they're not made in Germany. It's just that the company producing them, they have a middle man. So that disguises where they came from. They never declare that they came from China.' China also increasingly frames due diligence as a national security threat, experts say. 'China is broadening the scope of what it considers to be national security sensitive when it comes to due diligence,' Andrew Yeh, Executive Director of the China Strategic Risks Institute, told The Independent. 'So anyone who is trying to trace which companies are involved or whether their supply chains are linked or not, are potentially crossing the Chinese government's red lines when it comes to how it thinks and defines national security.' Sir Keir Starmer's Government has sought to balance a revival of relations with Beijing in its pursuit of growth with matters of national security amid concerns about Chinese interference in Britain and human rights concerns. China has denied accusations it is subjecting the Uyghur minority to forced labour.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Britain risks being ‘dumping ground' for forced labour goods
Britain risks being a 'dumping ground' for goods linked to forced labour in countries like China unless the Government reforms its anti-slavery laws, Parliament's human rights watchdog has warned. Existing rules are failing to prevent products flown from Xinjiang, where Beijing is accused of employing Uighur Muslim people against their will, ending up on UK shelves, according to a new report. In the 99-page document, MPs and peers on the influential Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) called on ministers to impose import bans on goods linked to forced labour. Mandatory human rights due diligence for UK firms and penalties for flouting the requirements should also be introduced, the cross-party group said. This would establish a legal duty for businesses to manage any risk of human rights abuse in their operations, such as by requiring suppliers to fulfil certain conditions, rather than the existing 'voluntary' approach. Key to UK laws governing forced labour is the Modern Slavery Act 2015, but the committee warned a lack of 'enforceable legislation' is leaving loopholes in the system. 'The evidence we heard demonstrates that goods produced by forced labour are being sold in the UK,' the JCHR said. 'Cargo flights are permitted to bring goods directly from the capital of Xinjiang to the UK unhindered and media investigation has provided strong evidence that tomatoes produced under forced labour conditions are used in products sold in UK supermarkets.' Britain's approach to imports has fallen behind other key markets like the EU and the US, which have introduced bans on goods linked to forced labour, according to the report. 'The UK's lack of equivalent legislation puts the UK at risk of becoming a dumping ground for goods that cannot be sold elsewhere,' it said. It recommended the Government bring in a similar measure to establish who is responsible for preventing the import of such goods and what happens if goods are confiscated. This ban should make clear that no company that uses or allows state-imposed forced labour in its supply chains can import goods to the UK, the committee said. Concerns have also been raised over the UK's free trade deal with India, where human rights groups estimate more than 11 million people are living in modern slavery. Meanwhile, more than a million people are estimated to live in modern slavery in the US, according to the same data, compiled by the International Labour Organisation and Walk Free in partnership with the UN. The JCHR said the UK could learn from the EU's policy of using 'political clauses' in its deals to promote the bloc's values, as it continues negotiations with some Gulf states amid concerns about their human rights records. It urged the Government to make it an explicit policy to include provisions concerning forced labour in future trade agreements, and to avoid entering negotiations with countries participating in state-imposed forced labour. Sir Keir Starmer's Government has sought to balance a revival of relations with Beijing in its pursuit of growth with matters of national security amid concerns about Chinese interference in Britain and human rights concerns. China has denied accusations it is subjecting the Uighur minority to forced labour. Lord David Alton, chairman of the JCHR, said its inquiry had seen 'shocking evidence' of human rights abuses in a wide range of industries at the heart of UK trade. 'Most of all, we want to see strong leadership from the Government. It's intolerable in the 21st century that we profiteer on the broken backs of slave labour, from Uighur servitude in Xinjiang to child labour in the cobalt mines of the Congo, and elsewhere,' he said. 'The Government knows (the) nature of the problem and the challenge but meaningful action has been lacking.'
Scoop
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Two New Bills Show Cross-Party Support For Modern Slavery Laws – Parliament Needs To Act!
World Vision New Zealand is urging the country's two main political parties to join together to progress modern slavery legislation, after MPs from both parties plan very similar Private Members Bill to address the issue. Today, Labour's Camilla Belich, announced she will lodge a Private Members Bill, Combatting Trafficking in Persons and Modern Day Forms of Slavery Bill, which seeks to introduce reporting requirements for businesses to address modern slavery in their operations and supply chains, , and stronger protections for victims and survivors of trafficking and slavery. In April this year, National MP Greg Fleming put his Modern Slavery Reporting Bill as a Private Members Bill in the ballot which would require businesses to report on modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains. World Vision's Head of Advocacy and Justice, Rebekah Armstrong, says there are aspects of both bills that are very similar which shows that MPs from both sides of the house want legislative change to combat forced labour, worker exploitation, child labour and trafficking. 'We're thrilled to see support from both National and Labour for robust modern slavery legislation, but we can't understand why they won't work together to legislate on an issue they both fundamentally agree on. 'We want to see our politicians doing the right thing, rather than scoring political points. We want to see them come together to actually pass a Modern Slavery Act, not just talk about it! This could be the reality if National and Labour agreed to both back the same bill,' Armstrong says. Under current Parliamentary Standing Orders, if 61 MPs agree to endorse a Private Member's Bill then it can progress directly to first reading at Select Committee. Armstrong urges both parties, and all MPs, to put politics aside and endorse one of the bills. She says MPs need to focus on doing the right thing. She says this is about people, not politics. 'Taking steps to address modern slavery is not something that should be politically contentious. We hope all parties will unite to end the trafficking of children, forced labour, and exploitative working conditions both overseas and here in New Zealand.' Public and business support for modern slavery legislation is strong, with 8 out of 10 New Zealanders backing modern slavery legislation, according to an independent IPSOS poll[i] and nearly 40,000 signatures collected in a petition[ii] lodged with Parliament in 2021. Armstrong says the business community is also calling for laws to address modern slavery so that Kiwi companies can retain a competitive edge in global markets. 'This year, New Zealand investors representing $295 trillion[iii] in assets under management wrote to the Prime Minister urging the Government to introduce modern slavery legislation. They want assurances that the companies they invest in are taking meaningful steps to identify and address human rights risks in their operations and supply chains,' Armstrong says. She says transparent, consistent rules create a level playing field and give businesses the certainty they need to operate responsibly. 'It's good for business, good for our trading relationships, and above all, the right thing to do.' Armstrong says politicians need to take action now to support New Zealand businesses so that they are in a strong position to trade internationally, but also to support Kiwi consumers. 'Our politicians need to focus on the long term and do what's right for the 50 million victim-survivors of modern slavery worldwide. This is a chance for Parliament to rise above partisanship and show ethical and economic leadership. 'If MPs from both major parties agree on the need for modern slavery legislation, then they should make this happen by working together,' she says.
Scoop
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Thousands Of Teens Plead For Government To Take Action On Modern Slavery
This week more than 2,000 letters from New Zealand children and young people will be presented to MPs calling for urgent action on modern slavery. A delegation of World Vision youth Advocacy Ambassadors will present the letters to MPs on Parliament's Steps at 12.30pm on Wednesday July 16. National MP Greg Flemming and Labour MP Camilla Belich will be there to receive the submissions. The letters were written and collected at a series of World Vision New Zealand Youth Conferences and universities earlier in the year where thousands expressed their dismay at New Zealand's lack of laws to address modern slavery. World Vision Advocacy Ambassador 19-year-old Lily Murphy says New Zealand young people are passionate about the need for action on modern slavery. 'It is disgraceful that New Zealand has failed for so long to introduce any form of regulation against using modern slavery in Kiwi production lines. 'Young people are calling for a system where doing the right thing isn't optional, it's the law,' the Dunedin student says. Messages contained in the letters to MPs include: 'I don't want my belongings created by someone whose human rights are ignored.' 'As a country we have a responsibility to ensure that our goods and services are not supporting exploitation, to prevent abuse, and support victims of slavery.' 'New Zealanders deserve to know that our goods and services are not built on the backs of exploited people.' Fellow World Vision Advocacy Ambassador, 19-year-old Breanna Rickman, says she hopes MPs will take heed of the collective call from young people for a Modern Slavery Act. 'Young people all over New Zealand care about addressing modern slavery because they can see and understand the harsh effect it has on millions of people. 'We want the MPs to receive these letters and understand that there are so many people who are passionate about making this change for our country. This is a plea from New Zealand young people for our MPs to act as the representatives we voted them to be and back a Modern Slavery Bill,' she says. There is currently a Private Member's Bill from National MP Greg Flemming in the ballot while Labour was preparing to introduce a Modern Slavery Act when it was in Government. World Vision National Director, Grant Bayldon, who will also be at parliament for the handover of the letters, says there is cross party support for a modern slavery act. 'We know both Labour and National support some form of regulation to address modern slavery. Let's capitalise on that consensus! We need our MPs to put the politics aside and to come together to protect the millions who are affected by modern slavery,' he says. Notes: The following MPs will meet with the World Vision Advocacy Ambassadors as they present their letters: Rachel Brooking (Labour) Shanan Halbert (Labour) Ingrid Leary (Labour) Tamatha Paul (Green) Suze Redmayne (National) Tom Rutherford (National) Jane Tinetti (Labour) Ryan Hamilton (National) Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Te Pati Maori) Miles Anderson (National) Menéndez March Ricardon (Green) Wedd Catherine (National) Willis Scott (Green) Camilla Belich (Labour) Greg Fleming (National)
The Herald Scotland
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Slavery victims cannot be ‘abandoned' over loophole concerns, says Theresa May
Baroness May of Maidenhead, who as home secretary introduced the Modern Slavery Act, was speaking as peers continued their detailed scrutiny of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, which has already cleared the Commons. Labour's flagship immigration reforms would introduce new offences and counter terror-style powers to tackle people smugglers bringing migrants across the English Channel. People selling and handling boat parts suspected of being used in migrant Channel crossings could face up to 14 years in prison and the Government wants to make it an offence to endanger another life during sea crossings to the UK. The total number of people crossing the Channel in small boats this year now stands at more than 21,000, a record for this point in the year. But Lady May was concerned trafficking victims could end up falling foul of the law by committing an immigration offence under coercion and called for 'duress of slavery' to be made a legal defence. She said: 'My concern is that in the attempt to smash the gangs, the Government may inadvertently catch up within the requirements of this Bill those who are acting not in order to make money or simply for themselves but because they have been forced to do so by their traffickers or slave drivers. They are acting under the duress of modern slavery.' Lady May added: 'It may very well be that somebody who is being brought under duress of slavery, who is being trafficked into sexual exploitation, for example, may in effect be committing an immigration crime. I believe that they should have the ability to use the fact that it was under duress of slavery as a reasonable excuse for a defence.' She told peers: 'If we are all agreed that people who have been enslaved should not be caught up by this Bill and be charged with these offences, then I urge the minister to accept that that needs to be specified on the face of the Bill.' But former archbishop of York Lord Sentamu said: 'What about a member of one of these criminal gangs that are bringing people over? They could easily say as their defence, 'I was under duress when I did what I have done'. What would be the response to such a line of defence?' Conservative shadow Home Office minister Lord Davies of Gower said: 'It is the duty of government to seek to protect those who are under duress of slavery.' But he added: 'This amendment might risk creating a considerable loophole which could be easily exploited by bad actors. This is not to say that I do not support the intent behind the amendment.' Responding, Lady May pointed out there was a mechanism in place for assessing if someone had genuinely been enslaved and trafficked into exploitation. She said: 'That should, if the process works well, weed out criminal gang members who claim such modern slavery. That addresses the loophole point Lord Davies of Gower raised.' She added: 'It is very tempting to say, as has been said to me by some colleagues, that all of this just creates loopholes. 'But I say to them that if we are genuinely concerned that slavery exists in our world today, in 2025, and that people are being brought into our country into slavery – that they are being trafficked by criminal gangs which make money out of their expectations, hopes and misery when they face exploitation and slavery – and if we feel that that is wrong, we should do something about it. 'We draw our legislation up carefully so that we do our best not to create loopholes. 'But we cannot simply say that we abandon those in slavery, or those who are being exploited, because we are worried about a loophole.' More than 21,000 migrants have so far crossed the Channel in small boats this year (Gareth Fuller/PA) Home Office minister Lord Hanson of Flint argued protections being sought by Lady May were already covered by the Modern Slavery Act. A provision in the 2015 law 'provides a statutory defence against prosecution where an individual was compelled to commit an offence as a result of their exploitation', he said. Other changes proposed by Lady May to the legislation included ensuring the confiscated belongings of potential slavery victims were safeguarded so they may later be used to prove their status. She also called for a provision under which slavery victims coerced into acting as a guardian for children during sea crossings are not prosecuted for 'endangering another' as proposed by the Bill for people smugglers.
