Transport and logistics; the ‘arteries’ of business, and uniquely placed to spot and report modern slavery

Listen to the latest episode of our Community Conversations podcasts, as guest host Elaine fills us in on the latest with the Crimestoppers #SlaveryonYourDoorstep campaign, and the importance of transport and logistics in fighting modern slavery:
 

It’s surprising to me that the transport and logistics sector has not been under the spotlight more regarding modern slavery and human trafficking. 

The focus so far has fallen elsewhere, on agriculture, fashion, construction, food processing and hospitality. But transport and logistics connects all of these sectors, and more besides; it acts as the ‘arteries’ which keep both international and domestic business alive and kicking. It keeps the products flowing, the deliveries being made, the packages being delivered. 
 
To my knowledge, there are 2.7m people employed here in the sector. A sector which has a £942bn turnover in the UK and makes a GVA contribution of £124bn to the UK economy. 
 
Interestingly, there are around 193,000 logistics enterprises in the UK, of which nearly all are SMEs, which presents both opportunities and challenges in harnessing its potential to help combat modern slavery.
 

A trade in human misery

Global statistics are even more eye-popping. The industry, one of the backbones of international trade, was worth over 5.5 trillion euros in 2018.* 
 
But transport and logistics doesn’t only keep industry going, it has a darker side. One where people are sometimes the ‘goods’ being transported. 
 
People smuggling and human trafficking is inextricably linked to transportation and logistics. We need no further evidence than the harrowing news of the 39 Vietnamese nationals found dead in the back of a container lorry in Essex last year. 
 
Make no mistake, people smuggling, human trafficking and modern slavery is about money. It’s a trade in human misery that is estimated to be netting criminals some £160bn in profits annually. The pandemic has made the most vulnerable even more so, and the organised criminals who seek to exploit them are going into overdrive to take advantage where they can. 
 
The time for the transport and logistics sector to act as one to combat modern slavery and human trafficking is now.
 

Not rocket science

In 2019 Marshalls plc launched its ‘Power of Logistics’ initiative. Our drivers were trained to spot the signs of modern slavery and to report safely. In-house team training, a short training video - produced with input from the GLAA - information cards left in all vehicles, and a smaller wallet-sized version for easy reference all combined to empower our drivers to spot and report. 


The National Modern Slavery Helpline emblazoned on our fleet of wagons together with our clear ‘End Modern Slavery’ logo all send a clear message that we’ll do all that we can to spot and safely report what we see to help bring an end to the exploitation of the most vulnerable in our society. 
 
Definitely not rocket science, but so very powerful when you have the clear commitment of a business from top-to-bottom and the hearts and minds of our front-line workers; our transport and logistics colleagues.
 

 

Join the ‘Power of Logistics’ movement

The ‘Power of Logistics’ initiative was a very simple and practical response in terms of how we could leverage our UK business operations in the fight against modern slavery, and in the process send a clear message that Marshalls plc is engaged, vigilant and essentially toxic to those who might seek to exploit not only vulnerable individuals, but also businesses. 
 
Often, simple is best, and in this case it absolutely is. We wanted to share our learnings, collateral and best practice with others, both in the sector and elsewhere, and to this end have engaged two big businesses in the UK; Tarmac and Hanson. They have taken up the ‘Power of Logistics’ initiative and are in the process of rolling it out across the UK.
 
I’d encourage others in the transport and logistics sector to join the ‘Power of Logistics’ movement, and we’ve made it as easy as possible. Simply take our campaign collateral, use it as it is or amend it as you wish – you can download it using the buttons below.
   

With Crimestoppers’ support, we’re looking to engage more transport and logistics business of all sizes. I genuinely look forward to updating you again during the first part of 2021.

* Source: https://www.statista.com/topics/5691/logistics-industry-worldwide/