The International Day for Abolition of Slavery is Friday 2 December. While it may be tempting to think that slavery is a thing of the past, in 2022 slavery and similar exploitative practices remain significant global problems.

Around the world, stories of people forced to work in factories, on farms, and on board fishing vessels in terrible conditions; trafficked into foreign countries; sold into marriage; or born into debt bondage are far too common. Stories like this may seem rare in Australia, but they are there, often hidden in plain sight. A recent joint report by the International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, and Walk Free estimates that about 50 million people are in some form of slavery. There are likely thousands in Australia, many of whom are never identified.

Cases in Australia include a woman kept in squalid conditions in a couple’s home, where she was forced to clean, cook, and look after their children for almost 9 years; and similarly, another woman forced to work long hours in a family’s home – and in their business – over a 3-year period, for minimal pay.

Fortunately, both victims were eventually discovered and the offenders convicted of slavery and forced labour offences.

These cases are, of course, almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg, with a recent investigation suggesting there are likely hundreds, if not thousands, of migrant women trafficked into the sex industry in Australia.

Cases of exploitation like this fall within what is now commonly called ‘modern slavery’ – an umbrella term used to describe practices such as forced labour, slavery, debt bondage, human trafficking, and forced marriage. There isn’t one definition of modern slavery, but exploitation, control, and coercion are common to all the forms of abuse it encompasses.

'Essentially, [modern slavery] refers to situations of exploitation that a person cannot refuse or leave because of threats, violence, coercion, deception, and/or abuse of power.'

Global Estimates of Modern Slavery
International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, and Walk Free

Modern slavery continues to exist because people are vulnerable to coercion and deception – whether through poverty, discrimination, or other types of social exclusion, and because laws are not sufficient – or not sufficiently enforced – to protect them from exploitation.

Meanwhile, other crises such as climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic tend to place already vulnerable people at greater risk. Though anyone can fall victim to modern slavery, evidence indicates that women, children, and migrants are disproportionately affected.

The signs of modern slavery include where a person:

• does not have their own travel or identity documents, or where these are with an employer or other party
• rarely leaves their accommodation for non-work-related reasons
• has little or no access to money or their earnings
• works excessive hours and has little, if any, time off
• lives at their place of employment
• shows signs that their movement is controlled, or otherwise appears to be under the control of someone else and reluctant to interact with others
• appears frightened or shows signs of physical or psychological abuse.

Australia takes numerous steps to address and combat modern slavery, in line with its National Action Plan to Combat Modern Slavery 2020–25.

These include a suite of criminal offences, border and law enforcement capabilities, a Support for Trafficked People Program to assist victim-survivors, and cooperation with a range of non-governmental stakeholders, among other initiatives. 

Growing public concern over modern slavery has also put scrutiny on companies and institutions, particularly those with international operations and large and complex supply chains, to identify and address risks of slavery within their business.

The Australian Government has also taken steps in this regard. In 2018, it introduced the Modern Slavery Act, which requires large entities to publish annual statements on risks of modern slavery and actions they are taking, in line with mandatory reporting criteria. UQ and other Australian universities must comply with these reporting requirements.

Like other universities, UQ has begun taking explicit steps to address the risks of modern slavery in its operations and supply chains. The complexity and scale of UQ’s national and international operations, together with its complex supply chains, mean that it must face the risk of modern slavery.

During 2021, UQ had more than 24,000 direct suppliers from over 80 countries. Goods and services were procured across a range of categories, from construction, catering and travel services, through to IT hardware, lab equipment and office supplies. Some of these sectors are recognised as having elevated exposure to modern slavery, as are some of the countries it procures from or operates in. Moreover, the scale of some of its supply chains means that UQ business involves many indirect (or ‘secondary’) suppliers. As many businesses have found, the more remote and diverse a supply chain becomes, the more difficult it becomes to effectively monitor and influence suppliers.

UQ has taken steps to develop and implement due diligence processes to identify, prevent and mitigate these risks, including through a new procurement platform that gives the University greater visibility of activity across our supply chain. The platform (currently in its pilot phase) helps embed supplier due diligence and risk assessment as part of the process of identifying and managing the University’s suppliers.

UQ’s dedicated Modern Slavery Working Group, meanwhile, has prepared a range of materials and resources to raise awareness of modern slavery across the staff and student bodies, including a webinar on identifying and addressing risks.

It is worth noting that students, particularly international students, are at increased risks of modern slavery in Australia, especially where they have fewer support networks, less knowledge of workplace standards and laws, and lower English proficiency.

In its 2021 Modern Slavery Statement, submitted as part of its compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Cth), UQ acknowledged that the risk of modern slavery in its operations is real, that reducing and eradicating this risk is complex and challenging, and that doing so will require continued and sustained effort.

Its causes are deeply embedded in social and economic inequalities, political circumstances, and, increasingly, environmental changes. But this does not mean the challenge is insurmountable. Even small changes in how businesses operate and monitor their supply chains can make tangible differences to the lives of people in situations of exploitation.

At the individual level, everyone can help by being aware of the potential warning signs of modern slavery and making an effort to, where possible, buy products that have been ethically made.

In the fight against modern slavery, every bit helps.

Resources and support

If you believe someone is at risk, contact the Australian Federal Police on 131 AFP (13 12 37) or use the confidential online form to report information about human trafficking.

About the author

Dr Joseph Lelliott is a Senior Lecturer at the TC Beirne School of Law is a Senior Lecturer at the TC Beirne School of Law and an expert on human trafficking and smuggling.