According to the European Parliament, 86 per cent of all forced labour cases occur in the private sector, affecting 17.3 million people worldwide.

In February 2025, the IBAHRI submitted written evidence to the Joint Committee on Human Rights outlining how the UK can learn from legislative approaches adopted by Australia, Canada and Germany in enacting new and improved legislation.

The IBAHRI has a series of recommendations for the UK government, including:

• implementing an import ban on goods produced through modern slavery, preventing them from entering the UK market;
• strengthening enforcement mechanisms by introducing financial penalties to ensure meaningful consequences for companies that fail to meet transparency and due diligence requirements;
• enhancing monitoring systems to provide government agencies and civil society with actionable data on high-risk imports, improving oversight and accountability;
• leading by example in public procurement, ensuring that government contracts adhere to the highest ethical standards and do not contribute to forced labour; and
• establishing a fair-trade certification, allowing businesses to demonstrate compliance, educating consumers, and increasing public awareness of modern slavery.

It said: “Combatting modern slavery requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach that keeps pace with the rapidly evolving global economy. The UK must strengthen its legislation to align with more rigorous international standards, making it clear that profiting from forced labour will not be tolerated. By taking decisive action, the UK can reclaim its position as a global leader in the fight against modern slavery and reinforce its commitment to ethical trade and human rights.”