The Modern Slavery Act

摘要

"Slavery" may carry with it connotations of inhumane conditions on eighteenth and nineteenth century slave ships and brutality on distant colonial plantations, but unfortunately, it remains a key injustice and crime affecting twentieth-first century. It has long been a target for UK legislators and recent changes in law will mean that it is an issue that many businesses will need to reflect upon. The highways sector is no exception and this month, we look at what steps need to be considered and when. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("the 2015 Act"), which received Royal Assent in March 2015, is designed to provide the tools to tackle slavery and human trafficking offences; enhance support for victims and introduce an independent anti-slavery commissioner. The significance for businesses is the introduction of a new corporate reporting requirement from October 2015 for commercial organisations with a turnover of £36 million or more to produce an annual slavery and human trafficking statement, setting out the steps they have taken to ensure their business and supply chains are slavery free.