Anti-Slavery Commissioner Calls for Tougher Laws amid Forced Labour Concerns for Ansell and Kmart 'Reporting Is Not Enough'

Australia's Anti-Slavery Commissioner has called for tough new laws forcing companies to take slavery in their supply chains seriously, amid ongoing concerns that forced labour may be used in the supply chains of two major Australian companies glove maker Ansell and budget retailer Kmart. The Silicon Review examines how Australia's 2018 Modern Slavery Act is falling short.

Australia's Modern Slavery Act was meant to be world-leading. Seven years later, the Anti-Slavery Commissioner says it is failing and big Australian companies may be profiting from forced labour.

Commissioner Chris Evans has called for urgent reform after concerns emerged about forced labour in the supply chains of Ansell, the Melbourne-based glove manufacturer, and Kmart, the discount retailer. The Commissioner warned that Australia risks becoming a "dumping ground" for goods made with forced labour if it does not strengthen its laws.

"People are asked to report but they don't actually have any penalties if they don't report and there's no measurement of the quality of what's done," Evans told ABC radio. "Australians want to know the goods and services they consume aren't linked to exploitation. Workers in our supply chains deserve to be treated fairly and paid what they are owed."

The concerns are not hypothetical. More than 180 Bangladeshi workers at Ansell's Malaysian contractor Mediceram faced deportation after they were unfairly dismissed, with allegations of wage theft, unrealistic targets, bullying, violence, and passports withheld. A conciliation hearing to contest their dismissal was set down, but workers faced deportation before it could proceed. Ansell has denied wrongdoing.

The current law requires companies with an income over $100 million to report annually on whether slavery exists in their supply chain but reporting is not mandatory and there are no penalties for failing to report. The Commissioner wants to introduce a mandatory risk-based due diligence obligation, requiring companies to take reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery, not just report on it

Here is the question this reform push raises. When workers at an Australian company's supplier can be deported while alleging wage theft and violence, and the company's only obligation is to file a report, is Australia's Modern Slavery Act protecting anyone or just giving corporations a way to say they tried?

A powerful alliance of more than 100 investors, businesses, unions and civil society groups has joined the Commissioner's call for reform. The Australian Government has accepted 25 of 30 recommendations from an independent review of the Act but has not yet legislated them.

As Australia's Anti-Slavery Commissioner calls for tougher laws amid forced labour concerns for Ansell and Kmart, The Silicon Review asks a final question. When a law designed to fight modern slavery has no penalties, no enforcement, and allows companies to report without acting, is it a law or just a public relations exercise?

FAQ:

Q: What did Australia's Anti-Slavery Commissioner say about forced labour?
A: Commissioner Chris Evans called for tougher laws forcing companies to take slavery in supply chains seriously, warning Australia risks becoming a "dumping ground" for goods made with forced labour.

Q: Which Australian companies are under scrutiny over forced labour?
A: Glove maker Ansell and budget retailer Kmart are facing concerns about possible forced labour in their supply chains. Both companies have denied wrongdoing.

Q: What are the allegations against Ansell's supply chain?
A: More than 180 Bangladeshi workers at Ansell's Malaysian contractor Mediceram faced deportation after alleging wage theft, bullying, violence, withheld passports, and unfair dismissal .

Q: What are the proposed reforms to Australia's Modern Slavery Act?
A: The Commissioner recommends mandatory risk-based due diligence, requiring companies to take reasonable steps to prevent modern slavery, not just report on it. Businesses could face penalties for non-compliance.

Q: How many people are trapped in modern slavery globally?
A: An estimated 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide, including 41,000 in Australia.