
The logistics sector ranks among the top 10 industries for labour exploitation according to our UK Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline—yet many companies are still unprepared to tackle modern slavery effectively.
Under the UK’s 2015 Modern Slavery Act, logistics companies with a turnover above £36 million must publish annual statements detailing how they combat modern slavery risks. But how well is the logistics sector complying with these regulations? And more importantly, what should a logistics company’s modern slavery statement include to ensure real impact?
We’ve reviewed the modern slavery statements from 50 leading UK logistics firms, uncovering critical gaps in compliance and action. In this article, we outline nine practical steps that logistics companies can take to strengthen their statements and protect vulnerable workers.
Why is the logistics sector at risk of modern slavery?
At first glance, the logistics industry may not seem like an obvious hotspot for modern slavery. However, modern slavery in the logistics industry often hides in plain sight—especially in places like warehouses, ports, and freight yards. While many picture workers trapped in containers or cargo trucks, the reality is much more complex.
Key factors make it particularly vulnerable for forced labour and exploitation:
- Temporary, low wage workforces: Many logistics roles, like warehouse handling and transportation, rely on low-paid, temporary, or migrant workers. These workers often face precarious working conditions, making them more susceptible to exploitation.
- Complex global supplier networks: Logistics companies often have extensive supply chains that span multiple countries. This complexity makes it difficult to effectively monitor labour conditions, increasing the risk of hidden exploitation.
- High demand and tight deadlines: The pressure to deliver goods quickly and at low cost, especially during peak seasons like Christmas, often leads to compromised oversight, particularly in outsourced operations. This creates the perfect storm for exploitation to go unnoticed.
What is a modern slavery statement and why should logistics companies have one?
A modern slavery statement is more than just a legal requirement. It’s your company’s opportunity to show that you care about what happens in your supply chain.
Under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015, all companies with an annual turnover above £36 million are legally required to publish this statement each year. It must outline the steps a company is taking to identify, address, and prevent modern slavery within its operations and supply chains.
Key components of a modern slavery statement include:
- Risk assessment: How the company identifies potential slavery risks in its supply chains.
- Action taken: Concrete steps to prevent slavery and exploitation, including how these are monitored.
- Due diligence: What the company does to ensure its suppliers are compliant with anti-slavery policies.
- Effectiveness: How the company measures the impact of its actions to reduce modern slavery.
These statements are a critical tool to demonstrate transparency and accountability. Without one, businesses expose workers to vulnerability and risk reputational and legal consequences.
How well are logistics companies complying with the Modern Slavery Act?
So what’s the state of modern slavery statements in the logistics sector today?
To find out, we reviewed the statements of 50 of the UK’s top logistics companies. What we found was concerning: significant gaps in compliance with anti-slavery measures and risk mitigation. Here’s a snapshot:
- Nine out of 50 top UK logistics companies (18%) failed to publish a modern slavery statement and breached the UK 2015 Modern Slavery Act.
- Of the remaining companies’ modern slavery statements, just one was rated as ‘good’, 11 as ‘acceptable’, 22 as ‘poor’, and seven fell below the minimum standard.
- Only five companies mentioned partnerships with anti-slavery experts, missing key opportunities for collaboration and improvement.
These findings highlight the urgent need for stronger transparency and action in the logistics sector.

nine essential steps for logistics companies to strengthen modern slavery statements
To ensure compliance and meaningful impact, here are nine actionable steps every logistics company can take:
1. Understand modern slavery risks in logistics
Many logistics companies still underestimate the risks of modern slavery within their supply chains. For instance, seven companies described their sector as ‘low-risk’, while 11 didn’t acknowledge any risk at all.
However, the reality is starkly different. Our Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline has consistently ranked the logistics sector among the top 10 industries for potential cases and victims of labour exploitation in its Annual Assessments over the past three years.
To effectively address modern slavery in the sector, companies must move beyond the common misconceptions and consider the broader risks faced by workers in their supply chains. A more comprehensive understanding is key to creating a safer, more compliant logistics operation.
What to do:
- Conduct a detailed risk assessment to pinpoint high-risk areas in your supply chain.
- Stay informed about modern slavery trends and work with regulatory bodies and industry associations to stay ahead of the curve.
2. Establish clear action plans and accountability
One major issue with many statements is the lack of specific, actionable plans. Too often, companies use vague jargon that makes it unclear what steps are being taken to address modern slavery.
What to do:
- Be specific in your statements. Spell out exactly what steps you’re taking to address modern slavery risks and how these will be audited.
- Answer the following questions: What proactive steps are being taken? How are modern slavery reports handled, and what support is offered to affected individuals? What actions are planned for the coming year to ensure continued improvement?
3. Provide safe and accessible reporting channels
Few companies offered clear, safe channels for workers or suppliers to report concerns about modern slavery (otherwise known as grievance mechanisms). However, without these mechanisms, workers may fear retaliation and keep silent about abuses.
What to do:
- Make reporting easy. Establish and promote clear grievance and whistleblowing channels, ensuring they are safe and accessible.
- Encourage a culture of open communication and consider promoting external channels like our UK-wide Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline for confidential reporting.

4. Strengthen case management and resolution processes
Many companies failed to provide details on managing modern slavery cases. Instead, they overemphasised on “zero tolerance” policies, which may discourage suppliers from reporting and push cases underground rather than addressing them.
What to do:
- Avoid zero tolerance. Instead, shift to a solution-oriented approach. Prioritise transparency, collaboration, and support for suppliers, rather than punitive measures.
- Emphasise case management steps, providing clear details on past cases and the actions taken to resolve them.
5. Move beyond a box-ticking approach to due diligence
Several companies listed “due diligence” as part of their compliance efforts, but provide little information on how they implement it, which leads to superficial actions that fail to mitigate modern slavery risks effectively.
What to do:
- Document proactive due diligence measures, such as ongoing supplier assessments, risk evaluations, and regular audits.
- Collaborate with anti-slavery experts and share best practices to build a culture of continuous improvement.
6. Invest in modern slavery training for workers
Although some companies mentioned training, many provided little detail on its frequency or depth. Regular, quality training is essential for everyone—management, employees, and suppliers—to spot the signs of exploitation.
What to do:
- Invest in comprehensive modern slavery training for all levels of your workforce.
- Detail how many were trained, if any, and your training goals for the future.
- Ensure training is ongoing, with refresher courses and up-to-date information.
- Partner with NGOs like Unseen for expert-led training session that deeper insights.
7. Ensure strong governance
A surprising number of companies submitted modern slavery statements that are unsigned or undated, undermining the credibility of their claims.
What to do:
- Ensure clear governance by having senior leaders sign and date your modern slavery statement. This demonstrates genuine commitment.
- Hold leadership accountable for addressing modern slavery risks across your business.

8. Avoid overuse of jargon and confusing messaging
Excessive jargon weighed down many companies’ statements, making it difficult for readers to identify meaningful content or understand their actions.
What to do:
- Use clear, accessible language. Write your modern slavery statement in plain, straightforward language that all stakeholders can understand.
- Avoid jargon and focus on readability, ensuring the statement communicates real action.
9. Set clear KPIs and measure progress
Out of the 50 modern slavery statements we reviewed, only six companies provided clear, measurable key performance indicators (KPIs). The rest were either weak or unavailable, making it hard to assess progress.
What to do:
- Set measurable, realistic KPIs to track your progress in tackling modern slavery. These should include clear goals with timelines.
- Ensure KPIs are linked to outcomes, such as the number of reported cases of exploitation or improvements in supplier audits.
Take action today – download our free modern slavery statement builder pack
While companies with a turnover of £36 million or more are legally required to publish a modern slavery statement, we encourage all businesses, including SMEs, to take similar steps. Doing so builds trust with consumers, suppliers, and partners while protecting your business from reputational and legal risks.
Whether you’re just starting to create a modern slavery statement or looking to improve an existing one, Unseen offers a free Modern Slavery Statement Builder Pack. This toolkit provides essential guidance and templates designed to support your company in creating an effective, compliant modern slavery statement that reflects your commitment to ethical practices.
For further guidance or to partner with Unseen, contact us at [email protected] for a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your business’s specific needs.