A university response to addressing modern slavery

Each day, Australians buy products made by people working under conditions of modern slavery. 

Following the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) the issue is under increased scrutiny nationwide. With large organisations compelled to report on the risks in their own supply chains, we have an opportunity as a society to abolish instances of modern slavery on our own shores, and similarly in the global supply chains from which our economy sources products. 

The realities of modern slavery 

‘Modern slavery’ describes all forms of slavery and human trafficking. It includes servitude, forced labour and debt bondage. 

According to research by Anti-Slavery Australia: 

• An estimated 40.3 million people are in some form of modern slavery around the world 

• Over 1,900 people in Australia are victims of modern slavery 

• Only 1 in 5 victims of modern slavery in Australia are detected 

• Slavery occurs in every state in Australia, in both rural and urban areas 

• Slavery occurs in global supply chains for some of the most common place products in Western society 

UTS is one of the organisations required to publish an annual Modern Slavery Statement under the Modern Slavery Act. We believe that universities have a role to play in going further to mobilise their resources against modern slavery. 

Partners in advocacy 

Run by Professor Jennifer Burn, Anti-Slavery Australia is a research, policy and legal centre run out of the UTS Faculty of Law since 2003. It has a mission to abolish human trafficking, organ trafficking, slavery and slavery-like practices such as forced labour and forced marriage in Australia. 

The centre provides specialist legal advice to victims of modern slavery, and conducts scholarly research into issues of human trafficking and slavery. It also advocates for law and policy change at the federal level. 

Declaration of Commitment 

The Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth) requires businesses and organisations to assess, mitigate and report on the risks of modern slavery in their supply chains. In doing so it places responsibility for abolishing slavery further down the supply chain towards the end consumer. 

Along with other Australian organisations, UTS is required under the Act to publish an annual Modern Slavery Statement describing our actions to assess and address modern slavery risks in operations and supply chains. 

In addition to this, the Centre or Social Justice and Inclusion is developing the UTS Declaration of Commitment in relation to modern slavery. The Declaration will set the vision and scope for the university's approach to addressing modern slavery. 

We are asking for participation from all areas of UTS, making this a university-wide initiative and commitment to do our part. Modern slavery is a significant global issue. It represents an abuse of freedom and human rights and UTS is committed to meeting our ethical and moral responsibilities to our local and global communities. It links our core values with compliance. 

Following examples of best practice set by businesses and universities in other jurisdictions – including the UK which has had a Modern Slavery Act since 2015 – this is an opportunity for our institution to develop leading practice in this sector,  

We welcome the opportunity to contribute to the Australian response to ending modern slavery.