Construction firms across the UK are intensifying efforts to combat modern slavery within the industry.
- Despite the Modern Slavery Act 2015, exploitation in construction remains prevalent due to complex supply chains and labour practices.
- Key industry players and anti-slavery groups are launching awareness campaigns to address this pressing issue.
- New resources and toolkits are being introduced to site managers to identify and mitigate risks of modern slavery.
- Industry leaders stress the importance of ethical practices and integrity in business operations.
The construction sector, a cornerstone of the economy, is confronted with a significant challenge: tackling modern slavery within its ranks. Despite the legal framework provided by the Modern Slavery Act 2015, exploitation continues to plague the industry due to its intricate supply chains and dependency on sub-contracted labour. Recent initiatives underscore a concerted effort by construction firms to address this issue head-on.
In collaboration with organisations such as Unseen and the Supply Chain Sustainability School, major construction companies are rolling out awareness campaigns aimed at educating site managers. This proactive approach seeks to elevate awareness and improve the reporting of exploitative practices. Notably, Unseen has released a film designed for use in training programmes and site inductions across the built environment sector. This film is endorsed by a coalition of leading firms, including Berkeley Group, Laing O’Rourke, and Kier Group, among others.
As part of these efforts, the Supply Chain Sustainability School has unveiled a comprehensive toolkit, complete with a due diligence checklist on modern slavery for construction firms. This toolkit serves as a crucial resource, offering guidance on preventing, identifying, managing, and mitigating risks associated with labour exploitation. It emphasises the critical role of due diligence, particularly when site managers might overlook the status of workers due to pressures from tight deadlines and slim profit margins.
Andrew Wallis, the chief executive of Unseen, expressed optimism regarding these efforts. He highlighted the empowerment of smaller companies at the site level, where the impact of such initiatives can be most significant. The construction industry remains one of the top three sectors vulnerable to modern slavery, as evidenced by the fact that labour exploitation accounted for 58% of the reports to the national helpline in 2023.
Industry leaders like Jo Potts from Balfour Beatty recognise the necessity of operating with the highest ethical standards, underscoring that responsible business conduct is integral to the success of construction and infrastructure ventures. These actions reflect a broader commitment within the construction industry to uphold integrity while addressing the complexities of modern slavery.
The construction industry’s enhanced vigilance and collective efforts are pivotal in curbing modern slavery within its supply chains.
