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Transport and logistics: front line workers act to end modern slavery
Thanks to Marshalls plc and the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority we've launched a special edition of our podcast looking at modern slavery within the construction sector. Listen to learn more about our campaign #SlaveryonYourDoorstep which teaches you how to spot the signs of modern slavery.
By Elaine Mitchel-Hill, Business & Human Rights Lead, Marshalls plc.
Crimestoppers knows that private sector has an important role to play in the gathering of intelligence regarding modern slavery. This campaign is aimed at asking those in the construction sector to step up; engage, equip their people with the knowledge to spot and report, and to come together with others in their sector to share their insights.
The heat is on the construction sector. Build, build, build - the government’s recent announcement to pump money into infrastructure projects is set to result in an increased demand for labour, products and materials. Let us not forget here that modern slavery is a global ‘business’ estimated to be netting $160bl in profits annually. It’s built upon supply and demand; it’s about money.
Paul Coffey, Head of Communications & Engagement from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), considers that we have all of the conditions for a perfect storm; given that we have labour shortages in the UK and that unscrupulous labour providers and organised criminals are likely to be gearing up to fill the gap as they seek to exploit both vulnerable individuals and corporations where they can.
In short, economic pressures, shortages of labour, pressure on supply chain, plus the temptation to abandon tried and tested due diligence processes and procedures at this time of pandemic, together with increased demand, all create the ideal conditions for exploitation.
Just over a year ago, Marshalls engaged the power of its nationwide transport and logistics operations to help eradicate modern slavery by spotting and reporting. The Power of Logistics initiative had the backing of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ lead on modern slavery, Mark Burns-Williamson, as well as the support of the GLAA.
The entire transport and logistics team was trained to spot and safely report the signs of modern slavery, a specific short training film addressing the unique role of our drivers was made, additional internal training information and supporting material was also cascaded throughout. Marshalls’ entire fleet of vehicles the length and breadth of the country also had the National Modern Slavery Helpline Number (08000 121 700) clearly visible for all to see, together with our simple aspiration; end modern slavery. We couldn’t make it any plainer; our business will do everything it can to identify and root out modern slavery.
We already know that this highly visible front line logistics initiative has incredible power in terms of empowering and equipping colleagues who are out delivering to construction site, yards and other locations not always visible to law enforcers. In one instance, within 24 hours of training, dashcam footage was provided to local law enforcement when the driver was able to recognise that what he was witnessing was most likely a serious indication of modern slavery.
Colleagues throughout our logistics operations recognise their unique role in helping to eradicate modern slavery. They absolutely know what’s right and what’s not; they were already well equipped to make a moral judgement. Bespoke training simply helped them to better understand the signs of modern slavery, empowering them to make a call and report what they see. And that’s all we’re asking them to do. Simply understand the signs - to spot and then report safely; that’s more than enough. Job done.
Our message to those who would seek to exploit vulnerable individuals is that Marshalls is aware, active and essentially a toxic environment for modern slavery. My message to our suppliers and competitors in construction is to join us in this approach; we’ll share all of our Power of Logistics collateral, insights and any learnings we’ve had that might be useful to help you implement quickly; our drivers will willingly share their experiences with yours.
You can start by supporting this Crimestoppers campaign.
By Elaine Mitchel-Hill, Business & Human Rights Lead, Marshalls plc.
Crimestoppers knows that private sector has an important role to play in the gathering of intelligence regarding modern slavery. This campaign is aimed at asking those in the construction sector to step up; engage, equip their people with the knowledge to spot and report, and to come together with others in their sector to share their insights.
The heat is on the construction sector. Build, build, build - the government’s recent announcement to pump money into infrastructure projects is set to result in an increased demand for labour, products and materials. Let us not forget here that modern slavery is a global ‘business’ estimated to be netting $160bl in profits annually. It’s built upon supply and demand; it’s about money.
Paul Coffey, Head of Communications & Engagement from the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA), considers that we have all of the conditions for a perfect storm; given that we have labour shortages in the UK and that unscrupulous labour providers and organised criminals are likely to be gearing up to fill the gap as they seek to exploit both vulnerable individuals and corporations where they can.
In short, economic pressures, shortages of labour, pressure on supply chain, plus the temptation to abandon tried and tested due diligence processes and procedures at this time of pandemic, together with increased demand, all create the ideal conditions for exploitation.
I still say that business has a stark choice to make.
It can act with immediacy to disrupt and dismantle the criminal organisations exploiting and abusing vulnerable individuals – men, women and children, whether in forced labour, domestic servitude, being sexual exploited or a combination of these and more besides – or it can stand by and see its own operations and existing commercial landscape disrupted and dismantled before its eyes by criminals whose ingenuity, adaptability, disregard and cruelty knows no bounds; they do not have to get ‘sign off’ from boards, develop complex strategies or sit in endless meeting before making the most of opportunities. They simply take them, and in the process disrupt and dismantle your operations.
Identifying our unique role in helping to eradicate modern slavery
Just over a year ago, Marshalls engaged the power of its nationwide transport and logistics operations to help eradicate modern slavery by spotting and reporting. The Power of Logistics initiative had the backing of the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners’ lead on modern slavery, Mark Burns-Williamson, as well as the support of the GLAA. The entire transport and logistics team was trained to spot and safely report the signs of modern slavery, a specific short training film addressing the unique role of our drivers was made, additional internal training information and supporting material was also cascaded throughout. Marshalls’ entire fleet of vehicles the length and breadth of the country also had the National Modern Slavery Helpline Number (08000 121 700) clearly visible for all to see, together with our simple aspiration; end modern slavery. We couldn’t make it any plainer; our business will do everything it can to identify and root out modern slavery.We already know that this highly visible front line logistics initiative has incredible power in terms of empowering and equipping colleagues who are out delivering to construction site, yards and other locations not always visible to law enforcers. In one instance, within 24 hours of training, dashcam footage was provided to local law enforcement when the driver was able to recognise that what he was witnessing was most likely a serious indication of modern slavery.
Colleagues throughout our logistics operations recognise their unique role in helping to eradicate modern slavery. They absolutely know what’s right and what’s not; they were already well equipped to make a moral judgement. Bespoke training simply helped them to better understand the signs of modern slavery, empowering them to make a call and report what they see. And that’s all we’re asking them to do. Simply understand the signs - to spot and then report safely; that’s more than enough. Job done.
Our message to those who would seek to exploit vulnerable individuals is that Marshalls is aware, active and essentially a toxic environment for modern slavery. My message to our suppliers and competitors in construction is to join us in this approach; we’ll share all of our Power of Logistics collateral, insights and any learnings we’ve had that might be useful to help you implement quickly; our drivers will willingly share their experiences with yours.
This space is about collaboration, not competition. It’s in all of our interests to do all that we can to identify, report and prevent modern slavery.
The way forward now, more than ever, must be towards information sharing, intelligence-led analysis, focused activity and to collaborating with all of the actors who must be at the table for us to begin to make any meaningful progress in this space. My concern is that any gains from the efforts of businesses made pre-Covid are likely either lost already or in the process of being swept away – we simply can’t let this happen. It is our turn to disrupt and dismantle those who would seek to do the same to us.You can start by supporting this Crimestoppers campaign.
