WORKPLACE SERVICES JOANNA PSAROS Hunter Workplace Advisor NEW LEGISLATION ON MODERN SLAVERY IN SUPPLY CHAINS H omeowners and tradespeople alikeAustralian corporations to investigate andthe Act doesn’t direct the way companies might be surprised to learn thatreport on risks of modern slavery occurringshould respond to any identified risks of some of the materials ending up inin their supply chains. modern slavery occurring. Instead it is Australian homes are the product The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (NSW), assumed that the increased transparency of forced and exploitative labour practices.which was passed on 21 June 2018 caused by these publically available Far from being a historic problem, modernrequires companies with an annual turnoverstatements will give Australian industries and slavery is estimated to currently affect moreof $50 million or more to disclose a publicly-consumers the opportunity to make more than 45 million people worldwide, with anavailable modern slavery statement. Thisethical purchasing choices and encourage a estimated two thirds occurring in the statement should describe the company’sgreater level of corporate social responsibility Asia-Pacific region. While these practicesstructure and operation of supply chains,over time. are illegal under Australian and internationalany risks of forced and exploitative labour law, the complexity of supply chains inpractices identified in the supply chain,...GIVE AUSTRALIAN the globalised market has made them and any actions taken by the company toINDUSTRIES AND increasingly difficult for governmentsaddress these risks and the effectiveness ofCONSUMERS THE to police. such measures. New legislation attempts to address thisWhile non-compliant companies may beOPPORTUNITY TO MAKE problem by imposing a positive duty onpenalised with fines of up to $1.1 million,MORE ETHICAL PURCHASING CHOICES AND ENCOURAGE A GREATER LEVEL OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OVER TIME The Commonwealth has also introduced a complimentary national Bill. The Modern Slavery Bill 2018 (Cth) serves a similar function to the NSW Act but has narrower application, with the requisite annual company turnover $100 million and no financial penalties applying. For more information please contact your Workplace Advisor on 02 4014 2000. P20 BUILDING NEWS ISSUE 1/2019