In October 2015, reporting requirements under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act will come into force. These obligations apply to all companies that carry on some business in the UK and that have a worldwide turnover in excess of £36m. There is no minimum threshold for the volume of turnover or activity that needs to be linked to the UK, so the Act will be far reaching in its effects.
Under the Act, companies are required to publish an annual statement explaining the steps they have taken to eliminate modern slavery in their business and also within their supply chains. The concept of modern slavery encompasses a range of exploitative behaviour including slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour, sexual exploitation, securing services from children and vulnerable people, and human trafficking.