Aldi commits to strengthen modern slavery strategy
Aldi UK and Ireland has joined Slave-Free Alliance – a business membership initiative to help protect supply chains against modern slavery.
The grocery discounter joins existing members including supermarket chain Morrisons, who joined earlier this year, Biffa, Aviva, Experian, Dixons Carphone, Clarks, G7th, The Capo Company, and more.
Aldi store. Picture, Google Maps
As a member, Aldi will benefit from expert advice on modern slavery prevention, training, gap analysis, site assessments, risk management resources, and help with investigations.
Slave-Free Alliance is a not-for-profit social enterprise, wholly owned by global anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice, which means that all profits from Aldi’s membership fee and services are reinvested into the charity’s work to prevent exploitation, rescue victims, restore lives and reform society, with the goal of ending slavery for good.
Marc Stanton, Director of Slave-Free Alliance, said: “We’re delighted that Aldi have partnered with us for support to reinforce and further their modern slavery prevention efforts. We want to encourage all sector peers to become involved, so learnings can be shared to ensure exploitative forced labour is stamped out.
“We’re dedicated to assisting every business we can in the wider global fight against trafficking and look forward to supporting Aldi on an ongoing basis.”
The team behind Slave-Free Alliance has expertise in organised crime prevention, including staff with backgrounds in high-level policing, social work, law, and supply chain management.
During the COVID-19 crisis, it is operating through webinar and video conferences. There are currently 30-minute free phone consultations available to businesses to help them learn how to protect their supply chains, upgrade their processes and manage the risks of modern slavery.
Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “At Aldi, we are committed to operating with honesty and integrity, and making a positive impact on society.
“We are proud to be a member of Slave-Free Alliance, and look forward to strengthening and evolving our modern slavery strategy with their expert input.”
To find out more, or sign up to Slave-Free Alliance, call 0300 008 0044. To book your free phone consultation, email info@slavefreealliance.org. This offer ends Sunday, May 31.