Slave-Free Alliance supports the calls made by MP Sarah Champion in Parliament this week over the UK’s responsibility to eradicate modern slavery in our energy supply chains.
Our annual conference takes place in Manchester on 21st November. Tickets are available to non-members for the first time with an earlybird discount available, while members can still access free tickets. We will explore the OECD Due Diligence Guidance as a global standard for human rights in supply chains, and how to be compliant with upcoming and recently passed legislation and directives.
In today’s interconnected global economy, corporations hold unprecedented power and responsibility. Today, there are almost 50 million people trapped in modern slavery around the world. That’s 1 in every 150 people. This means the urgency to raise awareness and take decisive action has never been more paramount.
Tragically, modern slavery remains a fact of life in today’s globalised world. Taking the form of forced labour, debt bondage, human trafficking, and other exploitative practices, it traps millions in conditions of severe exploitation. Businesses have a crucial role in preventing this issue by fostering a culture of awareness and vigilance among their employees. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through comprehensive internal awareness campaigns.
Shein, the world’s largest fashion retailer, is preparing for a potential listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). With an estimated valuation of £53 billion, it would be one of the largest IPOs in London’s history, representing both a significant milestone for the Chinese brand, founded in 2008, and substantial potential returns for the financial institutions considering investment.
While the opportunities for investors may be attractive, the company’s human rights record, which includes allegations of forced labour, poor working conditions, and failing to make required public disclosures under the UK Modern Slavery Act, raises considerable concerns.
Christmas preparations are in full swing. Roads and rail networks are congested with increased traffic delivering goods to warehouses, shops, and homes. Businesses thrive, and consumers eagerly seek bargains for the perfect Christmas, striving for the festive scenes and goodwill portrayed in the ads that have been on repeat since Halloween.
Anti-Slavery Week takes place every year here at Slave-Free Alliance, around Anti-Slavery Day on 18th October. It acts as an opportunity to raise awareness of the fact over 49.6 million people in the world today, and an estimated 136,000 people in the UK, are trapped in conditions of modern slavery.
It was a day to remember! All of us at Slave-Free Alliance would like to thank all those who took the time to participate in our latest Annual Conference, held in London on 27th September 2023. We welcomed nearly 100 delegates from 51 different organisations, all with the common goal of ending modern slavery and exploitation and changing lives.
A review of the work of SFA and its members in the first six months of 2023 reveals an array of actions and achievements, demonstrating the joint commitment between us and our members to further the journey towards responsible business practices and supply chain management.
No matter your stance on the latest fashion trends or your style of outfits, fashion is part of our daily lives. The fashion industry made around US$1.53 trillion last year alone, but how much of that has been linked to modern slavery?
