A recent roundtable meeting attended by industry experts and government figures highlighted that finding instances of modern slavery is a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’
The summary report of a roundtable meeting regarding modern slavery in the construction industry has been released.
The meeting was held in collaboration by the Cabinet Office, CCLA Investment Management, LGT Wealth Management, and the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
17 construction companies were represented at the meeting, including Tilbury Douglas, Mace, Kier, and Balfour Beatty.
Risk factors for modern slavery in the construction industry discussed included:
low-wage and low-skill roles
high number of migrant workers with limits on their right to work
the high-volume of sub-contracting allowing workers to come on and off-site frequently.
Unseen and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority presented the risks of modern slavery within the industry to the meeting.
It was reported that in 2023, the number of abuse cases reported to the Modern Slavery Helpline increased by 20%.
It is expected there will be a further rise in cases alongside the increasing frequency of ‘shortage occupation visas’ being granted.
The industry must be vigilant to stop cases when they arise
Dame Sara Thornton, consultant for modern slavery at CCLA, said: “There is enormous value in bringing together industry leaders, government, regulators, civil society investors to tackle modern slavery. In particular, construction industry leaders heard a strong and consistent message from investors, government and regulators about the risks and the need to take action now. I was encouraged by the spirit of collaboration in the room and the determination to make concrete progress. We have since been working closely with key partners and will benchmark the construction sector again to assess performance.”
Siobhan Archer, global stewardship lead at LGT Wealth Management, said: “Despite progress within the industry, construction remains a high-risk sector for forced exploitation and modern slavery. Recent policy announcements, such as those highlighted in the King’s Speech, underscore the critical importance of this sector. As responsible investors, we have a duty to collaborate with the built environment to deliver essential infrastructure and housing while ensuring the dignity and safety of its workers.”
If you suspect or are a victim of modern slavery, report it to the Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or the police on 101. In an emergency, always call 999.
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