Australian Report Shows Companies Failing to Consider Risks of Slavery

SYDNEY - Australian businesses may be using slave or coerced labor in overseas and local supply chains, according to a business group’s new survey of 150 major companies. The survey found serious lapses in the way many corporations comply with Australia's anti-slavery laws.

The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, a financial industry group, said in a report this week that about a third of companies on Australia's main stock market index do not seem to be complying with Australian anti-slavery legislation. The study said some businesses were “potentially non-compliant” while others were doing the bare minimum. Australia’s Modern Slavery Act of 2018 requires organizations, including companies, hospitals and universities, with annual revenue over $73 million to report annually on the risks of modern slavery in their operations and supply chains, both at home and overseas, including use of child labor.