So far there is little evidence to suggest that the majority of companies affected are complying with the Modern Slavery Act
What progress have construction companies made since the UK鈥檚 groundbreaking Modern Slavery Act received Royal Assent on 26 March 2015? Many were meant to file statements about measures they have taken by September this year, but research suggests the majority of businesses that fall under the Act have not done so.
The Act鈥檚 supply chains clause, section 54 Transparency in Supply Chains, requires all companies with an annual turnover of 拢36m or more to make a 鈥樷�渧isible [i.e. prominently on their website home page] slavery and human trafficking statement鈥�.
Responding to the Modern Slavery Act is not a legal requirement (although enslavement is a criminal offence) nor is the Act prescriptive as to the content of the statement. Companies are required to comment on the steps they have taken (if any 鈥� including none) during that financial year to ensure that slavery, including forced and indentured labour, is not taking place in any part of its own business nor any of its supply chains.
Those whose financial year end is 31 March 2016 were required to report by 30 September this year. Top line analysis of construction companies鈥� filed statements, by Business Human Rights Resource Cen