hi everyone I’ve come today because I want to talk about modern slavery I want
want to talk about modern slavery I want
want to talk about modern slavery I want to talk about what you as business
to talk about what you as business
to talk about what you as business leaders need to know about modern
leaders need to know about modern
leaders need to know about modern slavery what it is that leading
slavery what it is that leading
slavery what it is that leading companies are doing about modern slavery
companies are doing about modern slavery
companies are doing about modern slavery what they’re learning about what’s
what they’re learning about what’s
what they’re learning about what’s working and what that means that you can
working and what that means that you can
working and what that means that you can and should be thinking about doing in
and should be thinking about doing in
and should be thinking about doing in your companies so that’s what I would
your companies so that’s what I would
your companies so that’s what I would want to talk about and the way I want to
want to talk about and the way I want to
want to talk about and the way I want to try and do this the way I’ve tried to
try and do this the way I’ve tried to
try and do this the way I’ve tried to structure the talk is I want to do a bit
structure the talk is I want to do a bit
structure the talk is I want to do a bit of myth-busting so I’ve got six myths
of myth-busting so I’ve got six myths
of myth-busting so I’ve got six myths about modern slavery and I’m going to
about modern slavery and I’m going to
about modern slavery and I’m going to try and clear up a few misconceptions
try and clear up a few misconceptions
try and clear up a few misconceptions about what we’re talking about and I’m
about what we’re talking about and I’m
about what we’re talking about and I’m also going to be drawing on some
also going to be drawing on some
also going to be drawing on some research we’ve been doing here at Hult
research we’ve been doing here at Hult
research we’ve been doing here at Hult I’m part of a team of researchers here
I’m part of a team of researchers here
I’m part of a team of researchers here at Hult a couple of my colleagues are in
at Hult a couple of my colleagues are in
at Hult a couple of my colleagues are in the room we’ve been working we’ve spent
the room we’ve been working we’ve spent
the room we’ve been working we’ve spent a year or so working with a network
a year or so working with a network
a year or so working with a network called the ethical trading initiative
called the ethical trading initiative
called the ethical trading initiative and we work closely with about 70
and we work closely with about 70
and we work closely with about 70 companies talking to them about what
companies talking to them about what
companies talking to them about what they were doing on modern slavery and
they were doing on modern slavery and
they were doing on modern slavery and what they were learning I’ve put some of
what they were learning I’ve put some of
what they were learning I’ve put some of the logos up here on the slide so what
the logos up here on the slide so what
the logos up here on the slide so what do you what do you need to know about
do you what do you need to know about
do you what do you need to know about modern slavery what are some of the
modern slavery what are some of the
modern slavery what are some of the myths we need to clear up myth number
myths we need to clear up myth number
myths we need to clear up myth number one slavery is something that was
one slavery is something that was
one slavery is something that was eradicated quite a long time ago
eradicated quite a long time ago
eradicated quite a long time ago I confess that this is an assumption
I confess that this is an assumption
I confess that this is an assumption that I held until two or three years ago
that I held until two or three years ago
that I held until two or three years ago like most people I hope I think slavery
like most people I hope I think slavery
like most people I hope I think slavery is something that’s just you know part
is something that’s just you know part
is something that’s just you know part of history and the way in which I
of history and the way in which I
of history and the way in which I encountered modern slavery the idea of
encountered modern slavery the idea of
encountered modern slavery the idea of modern slavery was to do with this film
modern slavery was to do with this film
modern slavery was to do with this film 12 years a slave and I remember the
12 years a slave and I remember the
12 years a slave and I remember the moment very clearly because the film was
moment very clearly because the film was
moment very clearly because the film was up for an Oscar and it had won the Best
up for an Oscar and it had won the Best
up for an Oscar and it had won the Best Picture and I was in in bed the next
Picture and I was in in bed the next
Picture and I was in in bed the next morning listening to the news on the
morning listening to the news on the
morning listening to the news on the radio and they played a clip of the
radio and they played a clip of the
radio and they played a clip of the Oscar acceptance speech by the director
Oscar acceptance speech by the director
Oscar acceptance speech by the director Steve McQueen and he made this comment
Steve McQueen and he made this comment
Steve McQueen and he made this comment about dedicating his award to the 21
about dedicating his award to the 21
about dedicating his award to the 21 million people in slavery today and I
million people in slavery today and I
million people in slavery today and I was just half awake lying there in bed
was just half awake lying there in bed
was just half awake lying there in bed thinking that was a good film I remember
thinking that was a good film I remember
thinking that was a good film I remember it 21 million people in slavery today
it 21 million people in slavery today
it 21 million people in slavery today what’s that about I don’t understand it
what’s that about I don’t understand it
what’s that about I don’t understand it it doesn’t compute but but afterwards I
it doesn’t compute but but afterwards I
it doesn’t compute but but afterwards I went away and I googled it and it’s true
went away and I googled it and it’s true
went away and I googled it and it’s true 21 million people in slavery today
21 million people in slavery today
21 million people in slavery today there’s the figures from the
there’s the figures from the
there’s the figures from the International Labour Organization ILO so
International Labour Organization ILO so
International Labour Organization ILO so the rest of what I’ve got to say the
the rest of what I’ve got to say the
the rest of what I’ve got to say the other five myths I’m going to talk about
other five myths I’m going to talk about
other five myths I’m going to talk about are kind of my journey since this moment
are kind of my journey since this moment
are kind of my journey since this moment and hearing about modern slavery for the
and hearing about modern slavery for the
and hearing about modern slavery for the first time and learning a bit more about
first time and learning a bit more about
first time and learning a bit more about it and
it and
it and cheering up my own misconceptions myth
cheering up my own misconceptions myth
cheering up my own misconceptions myth number two modern slavery is just an
number two modern slavery is just an
number two modern slavery is just an emotive or a sensationalist way of
emotive or a sensationalist way of
emotive or a sensationalist way of talking about poor labor standards we
talking about poor labor standards we
talking about poor labor standards we all hear about the stories of people
all hear about the stories of people
all hear about the stories of people working in factories in East Asia or
working in factories in East Asia or
working in factories in East Asia or Central America maybe making t-shirts
Central America maybe making t-shirts
Central America maybe making t-shirts working for a dollar a day long hours
working for a dollar a day long hours
working for a dollar a day long hours maybe they got unsafe working conditions
maybe they got unsafe working conditions
maybe they got unsafe working conditions they’re suffering discrimination we’re
they’re suffering discrimination we’re
they’re suffering discrimination we’re familiar with those stories and is that
familiar with those stories and is that
familiar with those stories and is that what we’re talking about when we talk
what we’re talking about when we talk
what we’re talking about when we talk about modern slavery no it’s not that’s
about modern slavery no it’s not that’s
about modern slavery no it’s not that’s bad stuff that’s that’s terrible but
bad stuff that’s that’s terrible but
bad stuff that’s that’s terrible but Maude that’s not modern slavery modern
Maude that’s not modern slavery modern
Maude that’s not modern slavery modern slavery is literally people who are
slavery is literally people who are
slavery is literally people who are working in a working situation where
working in a working situation where
working in a working situation where they’re unfree they can’t escape
they’re unfree they can’t escape
they’re unfree they can’t escape someone’s going to hurt them if they try
someone’s going to hurt them if they try
someone’s going to hurt them if they try and leave their job the the photo here
and leave their job the the photo here
and leave their job the the photo here is of a gentleman called young he’s from
is of a gentleman called young he’s from
is of a gentleman called young he’s from Cambodia and his story is that he was
Cambodia and his story is that he was
Cambodia and his story is that he was very poor and someone came along someone
very poor and someone came along someone
very poor and someone came along someone he didn’t know and said well there’s
he didn’t know and said well there’s
he didn’t know and said well there’s work available in Thailand on a
work available in Thailand on a
work available in Thailand on a construction site if you want to go
construction site if you want to go
construction site if you want to go there I can arrange some transport for
there I can arrange some transport for
there I can arrange some transport for you it’s going to cost a lot of money
you it’s going to cost a lot of money
you it’s going to cost a lot of money but we can take the money out of your
but we can take the money out of your
but we can take the money out of your first month’s wages and so Yong embarked
first month’s wages and so Yong embarked
first month’s wages and so Yong embarked on a journey to Thailand and when he
on a journey to Thailand and when he
on a journey to Thailand and when he went eventually arrived at his
went eventually arrived at his
went eventually arrived at his destination he found it wasn’t a
destination he found it wasn’t a
destination he found it wasn’t a construction site but it was a seaport
construction site but it was a seaport
construction site but it was a seaport and he’d been sold to be to work as a
and he’d been sold to be to work as a
and he’d been sold to be to work as a fisherman on a fishing boat and and fish
fisherman on a fishing boat and and fish
fisherman on a fishing boat and and fish for pawns and he complained and he was
for pawns and he complained and he was
for pawns and he complained and he was beaten up and he was put on the boat and
beaten up and he was put on the boat and
beaten up and he was put on the boat and he spent months on the boat and the boat
he spent months on the boat and the boat
he spent months on the boat and the boat was coming and going into ports but he
was coming and going into ports but he
was coming and going into ports but he couldn’t get off the boat and he was
couldn’t get off the boat and he was
couldn’t get off the boat and he was beaten up several times and his story
beaten up several times and his story
beaten up several times and his story kind of ends happily in that one time
kind of ends happily in that one time
kind of ends happily in that one time the boat was important Indonesia and he
the boat was important Indonesia and he
the boat was important Indonesia and he managed to sneak off the boat and he
managed to sneak off the boat and he
managed to sneak off the boat and he went to the local police and he
went to the local police and he
went to the local police and he eventually made his way home to Cambodia
eventually made his way home to Cambodia
eventually made his way home to Cambodia but these are the kind of stories that
but these are the kind of stories that
but these are the kind of stories that people are talking about when they’re
people are talking about when they’re
people are talking about when they’re talking about modern slavery 21 million
talking about modern slavery 21 million
talking about modern slavery 21 million people trapped in these kinds of unfree
people trapped in these kinds of unfree
people trapped in these kinds of unfree situations in the world today modern
situations in the world today modern
situations in the world today modern slavery myth number three modern slavery
slavery myth number three modern slavery
slavery myth number three modern slavery only happens in faraway places we’re in
only happens in faraway places we’re in
only happens in faraway places we’re in the UK today for this talk I interested
the UK today for this talk I interested
the UK today for this talk I interested if anyone has any idea of how many
if anyone has any idea of how many
if anyone has any idea of how many people they think are trapped in modern
people they think are trapped in modern
people they think are trapped in modern slavery in the UK today the British
slavery in the UK today the British
slavery in the UK today the British government’s own figures are that it’s
government’s own figures are that it’s
government’s own figures are that it’s between 10,000 and 13,000 people in this
between 10,000 and 13,000 people in this
between 10,000 and 13,000 people in this country I’ve got a map here this shows
country I’ve got a map here this shows
country I’ve got a map here this shows the this is based on the ILO research so
the this is based on the ILO research so
the this is based on the ILO research so this is the 21 million people this shows
this is the 21 million people this shows
this is the 21 million people this shows the distribution of where those people
the distribution of where those people
the distribution of where those people are in different parts of the world a
are in different parts of the world a
are in different parts of the world a little more than half of those people
little more than half of those people
little more than half of those people are in Asia there’s around nearly 4
are in Asia there’s around nearly 4
are in Asia there’s around nearly 4 million in Africa nearly 2 million in
million in Africa nearly 2 million in
million in Africa nearly 2 million in Latin America but if you look at the red
Latin America but if you look at the red
Latin America but if you look at the red areas they’ve put developed countries
areas they’ve put developed countries
areas they’ve put developed countries together so North America Europe
together so North America Europe
together so North America Europe Australia New Zealand and Japan about
Australia New Zealand and Japan about
Australia New Zealand and Japan about one and a half million people trapped in
one and a half million people trapped in
one and a half million people trapped in slave labor conditions in these
slave labor conditions in these
slave labor conditions in these countries as well so the point is that
countries as well so the point is that
countries as well so the point is that modern slavery doesn’t just happen in
modern slavery doesn’t just happen in
modern slavery doesn’t just happen in faraway places wherever you are the
faraway places wherever you are the
faraway places wherever you are the chances are that there’s someone close
chances are that there’s someone close
chances are that there’s someone close to you trapped in a slave labor
to you trapped in a slave labor
to you trapped in a slave labor conditions right under your nose myth
conditions right under your nose myth
conditions right under your nose myth number four modern slavery isn’t
number four modern slavery isn’t
number four modern slavery isn’t something that affects my company you
something that affects my company you
something that affects my company you might be starting to think now and
might be starting to think now and
might be starting to think now and following me on my journey into modern
following me on my journey into modern
following me on my journey into modern slavery that Wow ok modern slavery is a
slavery that Wow ok modern slavery is a
slavery that Wow ok modern slavery is a big deal and it’s a big problem and it’s
big deal and it’s a big problem and it’s
big deal and it’s a big problem and it’s happening in a lot of places but it’s
happening in a lot of places but it’s
happening in a lot of places but it’s probably not happening in my company
probably not happening in my company
probably not happening in my company it’s true to say that there are
it’s true to say that there are
it’s true to say that there are particularly high-risk pockets for
particularly high-risk pockets for
particularly high-risk pockets for modern slavery particularly high risk
modern slavery particularly high risk
modern slavery particularly high risk commodities particular high risk
commodities particular high risk
commodities particular high risk products and services parts of the world
products and services parts of the world
products and services parts of the world but they’re the kind of products and
but they’re the kind of products and
but they’re the kind of products and services and commodities that find their
services and commodities that find their
services and commodities that find their way into most companies supply chains so
way into most companies supply chains so
way into most companies supply chains so of those 21 million the figures are
of those 21 million the figures are
of those 21 million the figures are three and a half million people trapped
three and a half million people trapped
three and a half million people trapped in slave labor in agriculture forestry
in slave labor in agriculture forestry
in slave labor in agriculture forestry and fishing and another 7.1 million
and fishing and another 7.1 million
and fishing and another 7.1 million people trapped in slave labour in
people trapped in slave labour in
people trapped in slave labour in construction mining manufacturing and
construction mining manufacturing and
construction mining manufacturing and utilities some of the photos one of them
utilities some of the photos one of them
utilities some of the photos one of them is about tomato pickers in Italy or
is about tomato pickers in Italy or
is about tomato pickers in Italy or cotton pickers in Uzbekistan so you know
cotton pickers in Uzbekistan so you know
cotton pickers in Uzbekistan so you know food makes its way into a lot of
food makes its way into a lot of
food makes its way into a lot of companies supply chain so just clothing
companies supply chain so just clothing
companies supply chain so just clothing where’s that coming from who’s working
where’s that coming from who’s working
where’s that coming from who’s working on the building site that your company
on the building site that your company
on the building site that your company is having something to do with who’s
is having something to do with who’s
is having something to do with who’s working in the factories that you’re
working in the factories that you’re
working in the factories that you’re sourcing your products from or who’s
sourcing your products from or who’s
sourcing your products from or who’s doing your cleaning the companies well
doing your cleaning the companies well
doing your cleaning the companies well they’re not companies the organizations
they’re not companies the organizations
they’re not companies the organizations that are organizing this slave labor are
that are organizing this slave labor are
that are organizing this slave labor are criminal organizations they’re very well
criminal organizations they’re very well
criminal organizations they’re very well organized and they’re very good at
organized and they’re very good at
organized and they’re very good at hiding what they do
hiding what they do
hiding what they do so there’s a very high chance that this
so there’s a very high chance that this
so there’s a very high chance that this could be on your supply chain and you
could be on your supply chain and you
could be on your supply chain and you have absolutely no idea about it
myth number five modern slavery isn’t
myth number five modern slavery isn’t something I need to do anything about so
something I need to do anything about so
something I need to do anything about so so you’re following me on my journey
so you’re following me on my journey
so you’re following me on my journey it’s a really bad thing it might even be
it’s a really bad thing it might even be
it’s a really bad thing it might even be in my company but I’m a business leader
in my company but I’m a business leader
in my company but I’m a business leader I’ve got so many things to do I’ve got
I’ve got so many things to do I’ve got
I’ve got so many things to do I’ve got so many pressures on me so many demands
so many pressures on me so many demands
so many pressures on me so many demands on my time so many people expecting so
on my time so many people expecting so
on my time so many people expecting so many different deliverables from me
many different deliverables from me
many different deliverables from me trying to do something about this is not
trying to do something about this is not
trying to do something about this is not going to help with any of the other
going to help with any of the other
going to help with any of the other things I’ve got to do realistically am I
things I’ve got to do realistically am I
things I’ve got to do realistically am I going to be able to prioritize trying to
going to be able to prioritize trying to
going to be able to prioritize trying to do something about this so what I’d say
do something about this so what I’d say
do something about this so what I’d say about this myth is is two things the
about this myth is is two things the
about this myth is is two things the first which is a bit like what Trudy was
first which is a bit like what Trudy was
first which is a bit like what Trudy was just saying in the introduction slavery
just saying in the introduction slavery
just saying in the introduction slavery is a story of human suffering and we’re
is a story of human suffering and we’re
is a story of human suffering and we’re all human beings and part of being human
all human beings and part of being human
all human beings and part of being human is about caring about the suffering of
is about caring about the suffering of
is about caring about the suffering of others so there is just a moral response
others so there is just a moral response
others so there is just a moral response to this it’s one thing to not be aware
to this it’s one thing to not be aware
to this it’s one thing to not be aware of the problem but once you are aware of
of the problem but once you are aware of
of the problem but once you are aware of this problem and that it could be an
this problem and that it could be an
this problem and that it could be an issue for your company then it’s very
issue for your company then it’s very
issue for your company then it’s very difficult I think as a human being to
difficult I think as a human being to
difficult I think as a human being to just ignore it so that’s one thing but
just ignore it so that’s one thing but
just ignore it so that’s one thing but the second part of the response is that
the second part of the response is that
the second part of the response is that it’s almost something almost certainly
it’s almost something almost certainly
it’s almost something almost certainly something that your customers care
something that your customers care
something that your customers care something about and being on the wrong
something about and being on the wrong
something about and being on the wrong end of a modern slavery story is not
end of a modern slavery story is not
end of a modern slavery story is not something not a place you want to be so
something not a place you want to be so
something not a place you want to be so this brings me to myth number six which
this brings me to myth number six which
this brings me to myth number six which is which is that modern something mom
is which is that modern something mom
is which is that modern something mom slavery isn’t something that I can do
slavery isn’t something that I can do
slavery isn’t something that I can do anything about and this is where I want
anything about and this is where I want
anything about and this is where I want to draw on the research we were doing
to draw on the research we were doing
to draw on the research we were doing and the conversations we were having
and the conversations we were having
and the conversations we were having with the different companies about what
with the different companies about what
with the different companies about what they were doing you might have got to
they were doing you might have got to
they were doing you might have got to the point as a business leader where
the point as a business leader where
the point as a business leader where you’re thinking okay I’m really
you’re thinking okay I’m really
you’re thinking okay I’m really persuaded this is something I do have to
persuaded this is something I do have to
persuaded this is something I do have to do something about but can I do anything
do something about but can I do anything
do something about but can I do anything about it we’re talking about really
about it we’re talking about really
about it we’re talking about really complicated global interconnected forces
complicated global interconnected forces
complicated global interconnected forces economic forces migration click criminal
economic forces migration click criminal
economic forces migration click criminal organizations am I really able to do
organizations am I really able to do
organizations am I really able to do something about that as just one company
something about that as just one company
something about that as just one company so the answer we got from these
so the answer we got from these
so the answer we got from these companies we talked to was that there
companies we talked to was that there
companies we talked to was that there were quite a lot of things they were
were quite a lot of things they were
were quite a lot of things they were trying to do and they were learning
trying to do and they were learning
trying to do and they were learning something about what was having what
something about what was having what
something about what was having what more what was more effective than than
more what was more effective than than
more what was more effective than than other things I we’ve got a really long
other things I we’ve got a really long
other things I we’ve got a really long 72 page
72 page
72 page with some really detailed case studies
with some really detailed case studies
with some really detailed case studies in it if anyone was interested there’s a
in it if anyone was interested there’s a
in it if anyone was interested there’s a few copies outside I’m just going to try
few copies outside I’m just going to try
few copies outside I’m just going to try and pick out three short key messages
and pick out three short key messages
and pick out three short key messages from that that whole monster of a piece
from that that whole monster of a piece
from that that whole monster of a piece of work so number one know your supply
of work so number one know your supply
of work so number one know your supply chain and work with them this might
chain and work with them this might
chain and work with them this might sound really obvious and I think it’s
sound really obvious and I think it’s
sound really obvious and I think it’s you know is it’s a fair assumption isn’t
you know is it’s a fair assumption isn’t
you know is it’s a fair assumption isn’t it that most companies would know their
it that most companies would know their
it that most companies would know their know their supply chains one of the
know their supply chains one of the
know their supply chains one of the people we spoke to in one of the
people we spoke to in one of the
people we spoke to in one of the research interviews we did told us this
research interviews we did told us this
research interviews we did told us this story about how he was being he was in a
story about how he was being he was in a
story about how he was being he was in a job interview for a major North American
job interview for a major North American
job interview for a major North American retailer and to work on these kinds of
retailer and to work on these kinds of
retailer and to work on these kinds of things and one of the questions he asked
things and one of the questions he asked
things and one of the questions he asked in the interview was so how many
in the interview was so how many
in the interview was so how many suppliers have you got and the answer he
suppliers have you got and the answer he
suppliers have you got and the answer he got from the person interviewing him was
got from the person interviewing him was
got from the person interviewing him was we have no idea that’s the reason we
we have no idea that’s the reason we
we have no idea that’s the reason we want to hire you that was a few years
want to hire you that was a few years
want to hire you that was a few years ago and and companies have got better
ago and and companies have got better
ago and and companies have got better about understanding their supply chains
about understanding their supply chains
about understanding their supply chains since then but don’t take it for granted
since then but don’t take it for granted
since then but don’t take it for granted that a company will have a clear idea at
that a company will have a clear idea at
that a company will have a clear idea at any one time who’s in their supply chain
any one time who’s in their supply chain
any one time who’s in their supply chain so the first sort of things you’ve got
so the first sort of things you’ve got
so the first sort of things you’ve got to do to work on modern slavery are to
to do to work on modern slavery are to
to do to work on modern slavery are to create the systems that is boring stuff
create the systems that is boring stuff
create the systems that is boring stuff but create the systems that give you a
but create the systems that give you a
but create the systems that give you a really clear idea of a really accurate
really clear idea of a really accurate
really clear idea of a really accurate idea at any one point in time who’s
idea at any one point in time who’s
idea at any one point in time who’s supplying you but then you don’t just
supplying you but then you don’t just
supplying you but then you don’t just need to know who’s supplying you you
need to know who’s supplying you you
need to know who’s supplying you you need to know who’s supplying them and
need to know who’s supplying them and
need to know who’s supplying them and who’s supplying them and who’s supplying
who’s supplying them and who’s supplying
who’s supplying them and who’s supplying them and go all the way down the supply
them and go all the way down the supply
them and go all the way down the supply chain because nine times out of ten the
chain because nine times out of ten the
chain because nine times out of ten the issues to do with modern slavery are
issues to do with modern slavery are
issues to do with modern slavery are going to be down at tiers four and five
going to be down at tiers four and five
going to be down at tiers four and five and the only way that you as a company
and the only way that you as a company
and the only way that you as a company can do anything about that is by working
can do anything about that is by working
can do anything about that is by working in partnership with the people you’re
in partnership with the people you’re
in partnership with the people you’re buying things from number two the second
buying things from number two the second
buying things from number two the second thing you can do you don’t just need to
thing you can do you don’t just need to
thing you can do you don’t just need to work with your suppliers you’re going to
work with your suppliers you’re going to
work with your suppliers you’re going to need to work in partnership with some
need to work in partnership with some
need to work in partnership with some other more unconventional kinds of
other more unconventional kinds of
other more unconventional kinds of organizations to partner with a lot of
organizations to partner with a lot of
organizations to partner with a lot of the companies we spoke to talked about
the companies we spoke to talked about
the companies we spoke to talked about leading to partner with their
leading to partner with their
leading to partner with their competitors it was a pretty unusual
competitors it was a pretty unusual
competitors it was a pretty unusual thing for many of them for something
thing for many of them for something
thing for many of them for something that didn’t come naturally something
that didn’t come naturally something
that didn’t come naturally something they found quite hard to do culturally
they found quite hard to do culturally
they found quite hard to do culturally especially when they were trying to talk
especially when they were trying to talk
especially when they were trying to talk to more senior managers in the
to more senior managers in the
to more senior managers in the organization you’re talking to who also
organization you’re talking to who also
organization you’re talking to who also you need to talk to NGOs that’s the sort
you need to talk to NGOs that’s the sort
you need to talk to NGOs that’s the sort of thing that people would have talked
of thing that people would have talked
of thing that people would have talked about as being quite unconventional in a
about as being quite unconventional in a
about as being quite unconventional in a few years ago it’s becoming more common
few years ago it’s becoming more common
few years ago it’s becoming more common the one that really surprised me when
the one that really surprised me when
the one that really surprised me when people started talking about
people started talking about
people started talking about it was needing to work with unions now
it was needing to work with unions now
it was needing to work with unions now kind of almost by definition the
kind of almost by definition the
kind of almost by definition the relationship between companies and
relationship between companies and
relationship between companies and unions by design is supposed to be a
unions by design is supposed to be a
unions by design is supposed to be a relationship of conflict so it’s really
relationship of conflict so it’s really
relationship of conflict so it’s really weird to hear stories of companies
weird to hear stories of companies
weird to hear stories of companies seeking out partnerships with unions but
seeking out partnerships with unions but
seeking out partnerships with unions but that’s exactly the sort of thing we
that’s exactly the sort of thing we
that’s exactly the sort of thing we heard about one of the stories that I
heard about one of the stories that I
heard about one of the stories that I can tell is about the city of Leicester
can tell is about the city of Leicester
can tell is about the city of Leicester in the UK so the city in the East
in the UK so the city in the East
in the UK so the city in the East Midlands it’s a Centre for textile
Midlands it’s a Centre for textile
Midlands it’s a Centre for textile manufacturing in the UK and and there’s
manufacturing in the UK and and there’s
manufacturing in the UK and and there’s been quite a few concerns about modern
been quite a few concerns about modern
been quite a few concerns about modern slavery in this city and there was one
slavery in this city and there was one
slavery in this city and there was one company that we were talking to who was
company that we were talking to who was
company that we were talking to who was saying well we put a lot of suppliers
saying well we put a lot of suppliers
saying well we put a lot of suppliers who based in that city we’re hearing
who based in that city we’re hearing
who based in that city we’re hearing this stuff about problems in that city
this stuff about problems in that city
this stuff about problems in that city but our suppliers are telling us
but our suppliers are telling us
but our suppliers are telling us everything’s fine but how can we be
everything’s fine but how can we be
everything’s fine but how can we be confident in that there must be some
confident in that there must be some
confident in that there must be some problems right why aren’t our supplies
problems right why aren’t our supplies
problems right why aren’t our supplies talking to us about that but we as a big
talking to us about that but we as a big
talking to us about that but we as a big company we can’t really go and try and
company we can’t really go and try and
company we can’t really go and try and talk to the workers in those factories
talk to the workers in those factories
talk to the workers in those factories we’re not going to talk to us they’re
we’re not going to talk to us they’re
we’re not going to talk to us they’re not going to feel confident enough to
not going to feel confident enough to
not going to feel confident enough to share any meaningful information to us
share any meaningful information to us
share any meaningful information to us so what the company decided to do was
so what the company decided to do was
so what the company decided to do was seek out a small local union and said to
seek out a small local union and said to
seek out a small local union and said to their suppliers you’re only going to be
their suppliers you’re only going to be
their suppliers you’re only going to be able to carry on supplying us if you
able to carry on supplying us if you
able to carry on supplying us if you give access to this union to go and talk
give access to this union to go and talk
give access to this union to go and talk to your workers and let them find a find
to your workers and let them find a find
to your workers and let them find a find out an accurate description of what’s
out an accurate description of what’s
out an accurate description of what’s going on in your workplaces and that’s
going on in your workplaces and that’s
going on in your workplaces and that’s what happened it enabled a company then
what happened it enabled a company then
what happened it enabled a company then form a view about whether there were any
form a view about whether there were any
form a view about whether there were any problems or whether they need to do
problems or whether they need to do
problems or whether they need to do anything about it
third thing companies are doing call for
third thing companies are doing call for more government action this is another
more government action this is another
more government action this is another stereotype it’s a real stereotype that
stereotype it’s a real stereotype that
stereotype it’s a real stereotype that business no matter what what kind of
business no matter what what kind of
business no matter what what kind of energy it’s got for doing good things in
energy it’s got for doing good things in
energy it’s got for doing good things in the world it doesn’t tend to like
the world it doesn’t tend to like
the world it doesn’t tend to like government telling it to do something it
government telling it to do something it
government telling it to do something it doesn’t already want to do pretty
doesn’t already want to do pretty
doesn’t already want to do pretty allergic to government intervention it’s
allergic to government intervention it’s
allergic to government intervention it’s a widely held view it’s certainly a very
a widely held view it’s certainly a very
a widely held view it’s certainly a very strongly held view in government rather
strongly held view in government rather
strongly held view in government rather policymakers that I’ve worked with in
policymakers that I’ve worked with in
policymakers that I’ve worked with in this research project and others they’re
this research project and others they’re
this research project and others they’re absolutely terrified of trying to do
absolutely terrified of trying to do
absolutely terrified of trying to do anything in terms of public policy that
anything in terms of public policy that
anything in terms of public policy that might call cause businesses to turn
might call cause businesses to turn
might call cause businesses to turn around and say to start jumping up and
around and say to start jumping up and
around and say to start jumping up and down and complaining and saying you’re
down and complaining and saying you’re
down and complaining and saying you’re adding cost to my business you’re going
adding cost to my business you’re going
adding cost to my business you’re going to make us uncompetitive but the
to make us uncompetitive but the
to make us uncompetitive but the companies we were talking to about this
companies we were talking to about this
companies we were talking to about this issue were saying well actually we’ve
issue were saying well actually we’ve
issue were saying well actually we’ve got all these problems with modern
got all these problems with modern
got all these problems with modern slavery there’s things that can be done
slavery there’s things that can be done
slavery there’s things that can be done to fix those problems
to fix those problems
to fix those problems but actually government is best placed
but actually government is best placed
but actually government is best placed to make that happen we need this things
to make that happen we need this things
to make that happen we need this things government can do that no one else can
government can do that no one else can
government can do that no one else can do we need that kind of help from
do we need that kind of help from
do we need that kind of help from government and an example would be the
government and an example would be the
government and an example would be the UK modern slavery Act which came into
UK modern slavery Act which came into
UK modern slavery Act which came into force in 2015 and a lot of the companies
force in 2015 and a lot of the companies
force in 2015 and a lot of the companies that we were calling for had act we were
that we were calling for had act we were
that we were calling for had act we were speaking to had actually been lobbying
speaking to had actually been lobbying
speaking to had actually been lobbying the British government pretty hard to
the British government pretty hard to
the British government pretty hard to make this piece of legislation as
make this piece of legislation as
make this piece of legislation as ambitious as it could be there was a
ambitious as it could be there was a
ambitious as it could be there was a particular clause that they caused
particular clause that they caused
particular clause that they caused called for which was which got included
called for which was which got included
called for which was which got included in the end which was a requirement for
in the end which was a requirement for
in the end which was a requirement for all companies over a pretty low
all companies over a pretty low
all companies over a pretty low threshold to make a public statement on
threshold to make a public statement on
threshold to make a public statement on an annual basis about what they were
an annual basis about what they were
an annual basis about what they were doing about modern slavery so that got
doing about modern slavery so that got
doing about modern slavery so that got included and it’s having a big impact
included and it’s having a big impact
included and it’s having a big impact there’s another thing that we found from
there’s another thing that we found from
there’s another thing that we found from the research this kind of government
the research this kind of government
the research this kind of government intervention works one at one part the
intervention works one at one part the
intervention works one at one part the research we did was a survey and we one
research we did was a survey and we one
research we did was a survey and we one of the figures that came back was that
of the figures that came back was that
of the figures that came back was that CEO engagement within companies on
CEO engagement within companies on
CEO engagement within companies on modern slavery had doubled in the first
modern slavery had doubled in the first
modern slavery had doubled in the first year after this act was brought into
year after this act was brought into
year after this act was brought into force now this is great news for these
force now this is great news for these
force now this is great news for these companies that got a problem because the
companies that got a problem because the
companies that got a problem because the more critical mass there is in the group
more critical mass there is in the group
more critical mass there is in the group of companies that are trying to do
of companies that are trying to do
of companies that are trying to do something about it the more likely it is
something about it the more likely it is
something about it the more likely it is the problem is going to be solved and
the problem is going to be solved and
the problem is going to be solved and also the burden is going to be shared
also the burden is going to be shared
also the burden is going to be shared more fairly so this is a great example
more fairly so this is a great example
more fairly so this is a great example of companies saying we need government
of companies saying we need government
of companies saying we need government to help us solve our problems and it
to help us solve our problems and it
to help us solve our problems and it actually working so this is the third
actually working so this is the third
actually working so this is the third thing that we’ve heard from companies
thing that we’ve heard from companies
thing that we’ve heard from companies call for more government action so I
call for more government action so I
call for more government action so I think that’s more or less what I wanted
think that’s more or less what I wanted
think that’s more or less what I wanted to say about what you need to know about
to say about what you need to know about
to say about what you need to know about modern slavery
modern slavery
modern slavery what other companies are doing and what
what other companies are doing and what
what other companies are doing and what that means for what you can and should
that means for what you can and should
that means for what you can and should be thinking about in your company thanks
be thinking about in your company thanks
be thinking about in your company thanks very much
very much
very much [Applause]
”
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