Major Australian companies fail at slavery disclosure
More than a third of Australia’s largest listed companies have poor modern slavery disclosures, indicating they don’t understand the risks in their supply chains, according to a new report.
Monash University researchers analysed the quality of 239 modern disclosure statements from ASX 300 companies, introduced after Australia created new laws to root out the problem, and graded each disclosure between A and F, in a report published on Tuesday.
Garment workers in Bangladesh, which has been linked in the past to forced labour.Credit:AP
“Fail” grades were assigned to 36 per cent of companies, according to the report, while only six companies were given a top mark.
The research indicated a clear divide between the biggest and smaller firms in the quality of their statements, lead researcher Nga Pham said in a statement.
“While a handful of the nation’s biggest companies revealed exemplary efforts to address modern slavery in their inaugural statements, many others barely complied with the basic requirements of the law,” she said. “This is alarming as we are not confident that these companies fully understand their exposure to modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.”
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Fortescue Metals and Wesfarmers were among the nation’s leaders, while Nanosonics and InvoCare were among the worst, the report said.
“Modern slavery is one of the biggest human rights issues facing the world and as a leader in the resources sector, Fortescue recognises our vital role in working collaboratively with our suppliers, government and the community to address this issue,” said Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines.
Spokespeople for the other companies didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
More than a third of Australia’s largest listed companies have poor modern slavery disclosures, indicating they don’t understand the risks in their supply chains, according to a new report.
Monash University researchers analysed the quality of 239 modern disclosure statements from ASX 300 companies, introduced after Australia created new laws to root out the problem, and graded each disclosure between A and F, in a report published on Tuesday.
Garment workers in Bangladesh, which has been linked in the past to forced labour.Credit:AP
“Fail” grades were assigned to 36 per cent of companies, according to the report, while only six companies were given a top mark.
The research indicated a clear divide between the biggest and smaller firms in the quality of their statements, lead researcher Nga Pham said in a statement.
“While a handful of the nation’s biggest companies revealed exemplary efforts to address modern slavery in their inaugural statements, many others barely complied with the basic requirements of the law,” she said. “This is alarming as we are not confident that these companies fully understand their exposure to modern slavery risks in their operations and supply chains.”
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Fortescue Metals and Wesfarmers were among the nation’s leaders, while Nanosonics and InvoCare were among the worst, the report said.
“Modern slavery is one of the biggest human rights issues facing the world and as a leader in the resources sector, Fortescue recognises our vital role in working collaboratively with our suppliers, government and the community to address this issue,” said Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Gaines.
Spokespeople for the other companies didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
