A new report on the drivers of modern slavery in construction has shown how construction firms can unwittingly end up using unethical sources of labour. It’s essential to remain vigilant, says Caroline Gumble.
The Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s report on the drivers of labour exploitation in construction makes for eye-opening reading. Part of the report is an analysis of Operation Cardinas, a police investigation into an organised crime group which infiltrated the supply chains of major construction projects across London and the south east for nearly a decade.
One of the things that struck me is that it is possible for businesses to unknowingly get caught up in labour exploitation, or even modern slavery, through links in the supply chain. Hundreds of victims of forced labour, as a result of the criminal gang’s activities, were working on construction sites in the period covered by the investigation. There’s an interview with the director of a subcontractor that got unwittingly caught up in employing victims of modern slavery here, which is well worth a read.
“I strongly urge everyone in the built environment sector to read this report and understand the lessons there are to be learned in the ‘Evolving Best Practice’ section.”
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