Unseen is calling for the government to introduce new legislation to prevent human rights abuses and stop goods made with forced labour from entering the UK market.
The proposed law, developed by Unseen in partnership with Omnia LLP and the Independent Anti Slavery Commissioner, would introduce mandatory human rights due diligence (MHRDD) for large organisations, ban goods tainted with forced labour, and create a clear, consistent framework to protect workers and responsible businesses.
In an article published in November, Andrew Wallis OBE, CEO of Unseen, said the proposals would drive economic growth, rather than act as a regulatory burden.
The article highlights:
- The economic cost of inaction: modern slavery costs the UK an estimated £60bn socio-economically each year (about 2% of GDP). Additionally, the UK imports approximately £20bn worth of goods annually that carry a significant risk of forced labour.
- The importance of levelling the playing field: without enforceable standards, responsible UK businesses are systematically undercut by competitors who tolerate exploitation. MHRDD would create a level playing field, rewarding ethical conduct instead of opacity.
- The risk of Britain becoming a ‘dumping ground’: as the EU implements its Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and forced labour import ban, goods excluded from European markets will seek alternative destinations. Without equivalent UK standards, the UK risks becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for products that fail to meet international human rights norms.
- Responding to investor demand: investors representing trillions of dollars in assets have explicitly called for mandatory due diligence, seeing it as essential for economic productivity and better run companies.
- The strong return on investment: globally, the investment required for targeted forced labour interventions is estimated at 0.14% of GDP, while the economic returns from ending forced labour could generate a 0.41% GDP increase – a nearly 3:1 return on investment.
How legislation has fallen behind
Unseen led calls for the introduction of Section 54 on Transparency in Supply Chains in the Modern Slavery Act 2015, a landmark step that helped shine a light on exploitation risks within supply chains.
However, the law focuses largely on reporting rather than requiring action, meaning companies are not legally obliged to identify, prevent or address human rights abuses.
Since then, legislation has failed to keep pace with international developments – the US and EU have already approved stronger measures to block goods linked to forced labour.
Unseen argues that UK legislation must now go further by ensuring companies are required to actively assess risks, take reasonable steps to prevent harm, and are held to account where serious human rights abuses occur within their supply chains.
The proposed legislation would require large organisations to take reasonable steps to prevent serious human rights abuses and hold them accountable if they fail to do so.
It would also empower the government to restrict imports from high-risk regions or products, helping ensure the UK does not become a dumping ground for goods rejected elsewhere.
Polling published alongside the proposals shows overwhelming public support for action. More than 90% of people believe companies must ensure their supply chains are free from forced or child labour, while 84% want the government to block imports made using such practices. Trust in voluntary business action remains low, with just 9% of the public fully trusting companies to act without government oversight.
Embedding lived experience
Andrew said embedding lived experience is essential to making the law effective.
A survivor of modern slavery, known as BT, said stronger laws could prevent others from suffering the exploitation they experienced.
“Without strong legal structures like mandatory human rights due diligence, morality becomes optional, and people are left vulnerable to those driven by profit, power and self-interest,” BT said. “I have lived through and survived exploitation that was arguably enabled by weak legislation and accountability.”
Protecting survivors and supporting ethical practices
The government is being urged to adopt the proposals in the next King’s speech because the legislation would deliver economic growth, protect survivors, support responsible businesses and align the UK with international partners.
Eleanor Lyons, the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, said: “The UK urgently needs new laws to keep goods tainted with child and forced labour out of our market. Behind these products are vulnerable people whose lives are shattered by exploitation.
“Without action, the UK risks becoming a dumping ground for goods other countries have already rejected – leaving responsible British businesses, many of whom are already working hard to uphold high standards, at a severe disadvantage. The public is overwhelmingly behind this change. People want confidence that nothing in their homes is made through the suffering of others, and they expect the government to act.
“This is the moment for the government to show leadership. Introducing this legislation would protect victims, support responsible businesses, promote economic growth, and ensure the UK is never a marketplace for goods built on abuse.”
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