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16 August 2018

Global Slavery Index 2018 published highlighting role of procurement

To this date people all over the world remain victims of modern slavery. The  Modern Slavery Index 2018, published by the Walk Free Foundation, sheds light on the extent to which different forms of slavery prevail across the globe. The Index highlights that public authorities are often indirectly linked to these practices, not least due to non-transparent supply chains and a lack of regulation enforcement.

The Index presents the first ever global estimates on the issue – revealing that all countries including developed ones are affected:

An estimated 40.3 million men, women, and children were victims of modern slavery on any given day in 2016. Of these, 24.9 million people were in forced labour and 15.4 million people were living in a forced marriage.

“Striking” do the authors describe the fact that in 2018 there has been an increase in government engagement fighting modern slavery through procurement. In 2018, 36 countries (as opposed to four in 2016) have taken steps to investigate forced labour along supply chains and have introduced procurement guidelines to enforce ethical working conditions.

The role of public procurement in the extractive industries, where forced labour is particularly prevalent, is also a key topic at the Make ICT Fair live market engagement alongside this year’s EcoProcura conference (3-5 October, Nijmegen, the Netherlands).

For more information about the Global Slavery Index click here.