Employment Law News

New requirement for anti-slavery and human trafficking statements

The government has legislated to require that commercial organisations publish a slavery and human trafficking statement annually to state what they are doing to prevent the use of slaves or trafficked workers in their supply chains.

Two new sets of regulations add to section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to bring in the requirement for slavery and human trafficking statements. All commercial organisations will be required to publish such a statement in respect of each financial year in which their turnover exceeds £36 million. That turnover threshold is calculated on a global basis to include the organisation itself and its subsidiary undertakings.

The statement will need to detail what steps the organisation has taken to ensure that the supply chains it uses are free from slavery and human trafficking. If the company has taken no such steps, it is required to make that clear in its statement. The government’s guidance recommends that every statement be succinct and written in plain English, but make reference to all relevant company policies and procedures.

The relevant legislation will apply in respect of financial years ending on or after 31 March 2016.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Transparency in Supply Chains) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1833) and The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (Commencement No. 3 and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/1816)