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The CCLA Global Benchmark is a Wake Up Call for Business

The CCLA Global Modern Slavery Benchmark makes one thing clear: policies alone are not enough. While most large businesses now report on modern slavery, many are still failing to prevent harm in practice. Real people continue to be exploited in supply chains where risks go unchecked.

The latest CCLA Global Modern Slavery Benchmark sends a clear message. Many businesses are still not doing enough to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. 

Most large organisations now have a modern slavery statement. That is an important step. But the benchmark shows that for many, action has not yet matched intent. And that gap matters. Behind every unmanaged risk are real people working in unsafe, unfair and often invisible conditions. 

why this matters now

Modern slavery is not rare and it is not limited to certain countries or sectors. It exists in complex supply chains, outsourced services and everyday business practices when safeguards are weak. 

CCLA’s findings show that too often responsibility for modern slavery sits too low in organisations, risk assessments stop at direct suppliers, and companies focus on policies rather than what is actually happening on the ground. Workers’ voices are frequently missing from the response. 

This is rarely about bad intentions. Many businesses want to do the right thing but are unsure where to start. 

expectations are rising

Pressure is increasing from all sides. Investors are asking tougher questions. Regulation is moving towards stronger human rights due diligence. Customers and employees expect honesty and accountability. 

For businesses that delay, the risks grow. Not just legal or reputational risk, but the risk of allowing harm to continue unchecked. 

what meaningful action looks like

The benchmark reinforces a simple truth: protecting people requires more than paperwork. 

Good action starts with senior leadership taking ownership, honest conversations about where risk really sits, and looking beyond direct suppliers to labour providers and subcontractors. It also means having clear ways to respond when exploitation is found and a willingness to learn and improve. 

No organisation gets this right straight away. What matters is starting and starting well. 

from statements to safeguards

The time for treating modern slavery as a reporting exercise is coming to an end. Businesses that act now can reduce harm, build trust and show real leadership.

start the conversation

If you are unsure what your organisation should be doing first, Unseen can help. 

We are offering a free 30-minute introductory call with our expert consultants to talk through what the CCLA benchmark means for your business, where your priority risks are likely to be and the first practical steps you can take. 

Get in touch with Unseen today to book your free session and start turning good intentions into meaningful action. Email us at [email protected]

Read more about our business services to learn how we can help you protect your corporate reputation and make you stand out as a leader in responsible business practices.

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Justine Currell

As I came to understand more about the issue, including through a visit to an Unseen safehouse, I knew I needed to do more to stop this abuse and exploitation.

For the last five years of my Civil Service career, I was the Modern Slavery Senior Policy Advisor in the Home Office and led on development of the Modern Slavery Act, including the transparency in supply chains provision and business guidance.

I joined Unseen to lead the development of the Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, and Unseen’s work with businesses. I am regularly called upon to present at national and international conferences and use my experience of working with Ministers to influence other governments internationally to take action to address modern slavery and, in particular, business supply chain issues.

In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, music, reading and travelling.

Andrew Wallis

What ultimately compelled me to act was a report on how people from Eastern Europe were being trafficked through Bristol airport to the USA. Kate Garbers, who went on to be an Unseen Director, and I wrote to all the city councillors, MPs and the Police Chief Constable challenging them on the issue. The challenge came back to us: this city needs safe housing for trafficked women. And so Unseen began.

But we never wanted Unseen to be just about safe housing. We wanted to end slavery once and for all, and that remains our driving focus.

I chaired the working group for the Centre for Social Justice’s landmark report “It Happens Here: Equipping the United Kingdom to Fight Modern Slavery”. This is now acknowledged as the catalyst behind the UK’s Modern Slavery Act of 2015. It was a great honour to be awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours that year. On the other hand, I’ve also been described as “the loveliest disrupter you could ever hope to meet”.

This job has taken me from building flat-pack furniture for safehouses, to working with businesses to address slavery in supply chains, to delivering training, raising awareness and advising governments around the world.

When not at work, I enjoy travelling, spending time with my dog Harley, cooking, supporting Liverpool and Yorkshire CC, music (I’m a former DJ) and endurance events such as the Three Peaks Challenge and Tribe Freedom Runs – which I vow never to do again. Until the next time.