Published Jan 16 2020

'What Happens Next?': How Many Slaves Work For You?

Susan
Carland
Academic, author and social commentator
Laura vidal
PhD Candidate, Criminology, School of Social Sciences
Kimberley cole
Activist

Everyone has a ‘slavery footprint’. Just how big is yours?

In this episode of Monash University’s podcast, What Happens Next?, Dr Susan Carland and expert guests explore the challenges of tackling modern slavery and discuss practical steps that individuals and businesses can take to reduce their reliance on slavery.

Laura Vidal is a PhD candidate in criminology at Monash University and a modern slavery researcher. With more than a decade of experience supporting victims of trafficking and slavery, Laura currently works as a project manager for Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand.

Monash alumna Kimberley Cole is the Global Head of Sales at Lynk Global, an expert network and knowledge platform based in Hong Kong. She also hosts the podcast Risky Women Radio. With a background in risk management, Kimberley has been helping companies address modern slavery in their supply chains for over a decade.

 

To reduce reliance on modern slavery, we can start by educating ourselves about the issue. Understanding the indicators of exploitation and the difference between a bad job and slavery is crucial, says Laura. Apps such as Good On You, which rates fashion brands based on their impact on people, plants and animals, can help us make informed choices while shopping.

Websites such as slaveryfootprint.org and endslaverynow.org provide information about product supply chains, allowing consumers to trace the origins of their purchases and make ethical decisions. By checking for fair trade certification and logos on products like tea, coffee and chocolate, we can choose to support brands that prioritise fair working conditions.

It’s also important for individuals to engage with brands and companies. Checking for sustainability and ethical procurement policies and asking brands about their practices can help create consumer pressure for change. But we need to be smart about boycotting, as this can have unintended negative consequences for workers. Instead, consumers can proactively engage with brands and encourage them to improve their practices.

Read more: Breaking the modern slavery supply chain

Businesses, too, have a responsibility to address modern slavery in their supply chains. The introduction of legislation such as the Modern Slavery Act in Australia has increased the focus on ethical sourcing and sustainability. Companies can no longer ignore the issue without risking reputational damage.

Many companies now have positions dedicated to addressing the risks of modern slavery. These employees work to ensure that suppliers meet ethical standards and that workers are not exploited.

Engaging with experts and organisations focused on modern slavery, such as Walk Free and Liberty Asia, can provide businesses with valuable insights and guidance. By collaborating with these organisations, businesses can develop effective strategies to ensure ethical practices throughout their supply chains.

The fight against modern slavery requires action from both individuals and businesses. By educating ourselves, making informed choices and engaging with brands, we can reduce our reliance on slavery. Businesses can fulfil their ethical responsibility in this area by implementing ethical sourcing practices and collaborating with experts and leading organisations. Through collaboration and regulation, we can work towards a future free from modern slavery.

“For your everyday person, having an awareness that modern slavery happens, not just in the products they purchase, but in Australia, is really important... If there's something you're worried about, acting on it could change somebody’s life.” - Laura Vidal

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In this series

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About the Authors

  • Susan carland

    Director, Bachelor of Global Studies, and Lecturer, School of Language, Literature, Cultures and Linguistics

    Susan's research and teaching specialties focus on gender, sociology, contemporary Australia, terrorism, and Islam in the modern world. Susan hosted the “Assumptions” series on ABC’s Radio National, and was named one of the 20 Most Influential Australian Female Voices in 2012 by The Age.

  • Laura vidal

    PhD Candidate, Criminology, School of Social Sciences

    Laura is undertaking her PhD in the exploration of young women’s experiences of forced marriage in Australia and questioning Australia’s current response in meeting their needs. Laura comes to her PhD with more than a decade of experience working with victim-survivors and engaging in policy advocacy on gender violence, particularly within culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

  • Kimberley cole

    Activist

    Kimberley Cole is a Monash Economic graduate who became a leading modern-day activist on slavery during her time as head of solutions sales, financial and risk, Asia with the world’s largest news and information service, Thomson Reuters. She has had a long career in business leadership, finance and data technologies with Thomson Reuters, in Australia, Singapore, London and – most recently – Hong Kong, until leaving the firm at the end of 2018. Currently Global head of Sales for Lynk Global, Kimberley is also an Ambassador for Women on Boards and is Chief Risky Woman at Risky Women - A global community focused on connecting, celebrating and championing women in governance, risk, compliance and ethics across the globe.

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