Mandatory transparency, mandatory due diligence and public procurement due diligence
The report written by the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre (BHRRC) and commissioned by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) with support from Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Key areas are in the report are .
- MANDATORY TRANSPARENCY
- MANDATORY DUE DILIGENCE
- PUBLIC PROCUREMENT
- PROCESS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF, how to stop and deal with, MODERN SLAVERY
Sharan Burrow, General Secretary International Trade Union Confederation said
"No corporation or investor would blindly sign a contract, enter into a merger or risk large sums of capital without doing due diligence. Assessing risk is a corner stone of successful business practice and corporations expect the rule of law to protect their interests. Yet when it comes to the very people companies rely on to produce their profits, few respect the rights of or take responsibility for decent work for workers. Up to 94 percent of the global workforce of 50 major corporations is a hidden workforce because responsibility has been simply outsourced many times over. Due diligence and transparency is the key to ending modern slavery in supply chains. Where corporations take responsibility for due diligence and consequently make their supply chains transparent then it is possible to establish grievance procedures that can facilitate remedy of any violations of rights at work from forced labour to paying below the minimum wage."
Phil Bloomer, Executive Director Business and Human Rights Resource Centre - said ...
" No reputable company wants the scurge of forced labour in its supply chain. No reputable government wants criminals trafficking workers into inhuman conditions in its territory. All working people want lives of dignity, respect and freedom. And yet the problem of modern slavery is growing. This paper demonstrates that this is far from inevitable. The paper highlights the successful, but disparate, initiatives by governments. It shows that, if brought together, and applied internationally, these initiatives would form a powerful global force to combat modern slavery. The paper sets out a clear pathway for governments to deliver harmonised legislation, regulation, and corporate incentives. Together they would provide an international level playing field for business of mandatory transparency, mandatory due diligence, and public procurement incentives. Responsible governments and businesses are coming to realise they must now act to humanise markets, or expect further public disenchantment. Acting on modern slavery is an essential start to making markets work for all. "
