Think Modern Slavery doesn’t happen in Australia? Think again…
The 2024 Global Slavery Index estimated that 41,000 people in Australia are currently living in modern slavery.
At Orion, we are a Consult Australia member of eight years, and proud to have assisted in the drafting of the Combatting Modern Slavery member guide. We are committed to ensuring that modern slavery isn’t present in our supply chains, and to the success of the broader industry.
“It was fantastic to work with Consult Australia on this guide. We were looking for some advice ourselves and the opportunity to combine legislative knowledge and expertise with a real-life scenario was extremely valuable. We hope the guide is as useful to other businesses as it is to us.” - Dominic Lynch,
What Every Business Needs to Know
There are approximately 49.6 million people trapped in modern slavery globally, with an estimated 41,000 here in Australia.
The construction and development industry is high risk due to extensive subcontracting and complex supply chains. This sector is susceptible to forced labour and exploitation, particularly in the sourcing of raw materials like timber, bricks, and steel.
When tendering for government contracts, a business of any size may be asked to show their commitment to addressing modern slavery.
Understanding Modern Slavery
Modern slavery goes beyond human trafficking. It includes forced labour, servitude, child labour, and more.
For construction and development projects, this means taking proactive steps to ensure transparency in how materials are sourced, who is employed on projects, and the working conditions throughout the supply chain.
As a business, addressing these risks is not only an ethical obligation but a business one.
The Regulatory Requirements
Under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018, companies with annual revenues of $100 million+ must report on slavery risks in their supply chains.
As a smaller company, we’ve decided to take action. At Orion, we have chosen to opt-in voluntarily by preparing a standalone document outlining our commitment, and backing it up with business training and processes.
We engage with sub-consultants prior to entering a contract to understand their position, and we’ve updated our sub-consultant agreements to clearly set out obligations and expectations with respect to modern slavery.
There Are Also Benefits
Beyond compliance, addressing modern slavery risks can help you to:
- Remain competitive in the market when tendering to large corporations and government.
- Enhance your reputation with clients and investors who consider human rights practices when making procurement and investment decisions.
- Improve staff morale by aligning with their values for ethical leadership and purpose over profit.
Five Tips for Effective Engagement
Engaging effectively on modern slavery requires a thoughtful, people-first approach. These five tips will help spark genuine conversation around human rights:
- Focus on modern slavery survivors and human rights, not just your business.
- Collaborate with leadership and other stakeholders on your approach.
- Engage suppliers in open conversations to understand their needs.
- Avoid blanket statements of being slavery-free.
- Keep reviewing your risks and continuing the conversation.
Conclusion
At Orion, we are proud to lead by example, having voluntarily opted into the Modern Slavery Act and collaborated with Consult Australia to create the Combatting Modern Slavery member guide.
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