It’s an indictment of this modern era that exploitation remains alarmingly prevalent. Indeed, the journey towards human trafficking and forced labor prevention is laden with complexities. In this episode of Hidden Traffic, host Gwen Hassan discusses current events and valuable resources to propel the fight against human trafficking. She emphasizes the interplay between corporate compliance, survivor advocacy, and global cooperation in the quest to eradicate human trafficking and forced labor from global supply chains.
Follow Money Fight Slavery is a not-for-profit consortium specializing in human trafficking prevention. During their third annual summit, the group unveiled valuable materials, including survivor-led sessions and a keynote address by a survivor turned advocate. These first-hand narratives are key in combating trafficking, Gwen points out..
Unseen UK has launched a petition to urge the UK government to fill the vacant Independent Antislavery Commissioner role. Gwen is concerned about the year-long vacancy in this crucial role, and urges listeners to sign the petition. Strong leadership is crucial in the prevention of human trafficking.
The Mekong Club is an organization that has partnered with CNN to raise awareness about human trafficking among students worldwide. This effort is encapsulated in the ‘Sweatshop Challenge’, an immersive educational experience providing students with a simulated understanding of forced labor conditions. Gwen lauds this creative approach: “Could you do a similar type of sweatshop challenge for your supply chain workers? For people that are out there in your corporate purchasing departments who are buying from foreign suppliers so they have a real personal understanding of what human trafficking does and how injurious it is…?”
The recently published white paper by the Mekong Club about modern slavery risks in shipping takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked logistics portion of supply chains, highlighting its susceptibility to human trafficking.
Gwen elaborates on a recent US congressional hearing on the implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and its implications on the US supply chain. It hints towards an expansion of the act, potentially encompassing electric vehicle components and eliminating the inspection exemption for shipments worth less than $800. She warns listeners, “If your supply chain touches electric vehicle production or for that matter, batteries or battery production, this could be an early warning signal that there may be additional enforcement focus coming for your supply chain.”
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