Ciara Pryce, CEO of VGC Group, was delighted to attend a roundtable on modern slavery and labour exploitation risks in the construction sector exploring how investors, government, and industry leaders can work together to drive meaningful change.
The event, held on Tuesday 21 October, was organised by the Cabinet Office, CCLA Investment Management, LGT Wealth Management, and the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
The session opened with Dame Sarah Thornton, Modern Slavery Consultant for CCLA and former UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner, who highlighted that construction remains one of the highest-risk sectors for modern slavery in the UK.
According to Unseen’s Modern Slavery & Exploitation Helpline, reports of exploitation continue to rise among the two million people working in UK construction with skills and labour shortages adding further pressure. Key raw materials and their extended supply chains that reach into countries with poor human rights records also represent a significant risk.
Jess Phillips MP, Under Secretary of State for Safeguarding at the Home Office, delivered a keynote speech outlining the government’s commitment to combatting modern slavery.
She urged businesses to ensure worker voices are embedded in all due diligence processes and to strengthen their capacity to identify and manage risks.
“Businesses must be vigilant to ensure they are not knowingly or unwittingly complicit in this abuse taking place in their operations and global supply chains. Modern slavery is so prevalent that if businesses are not identifying risks and cases, they are probably not looking hard enough.”
The discussion was followed by expert panels reviewing tools for evaluating and benchmarking risk, examples of good practice within the labour supply chain, and ongoing challenges across material sourcing and global procurement.
There were candid conversations about what the sector can do to address this systemic risk and reflect on progress that has been made.
The event concluded with a shared commitment to continue strengthening supply chain standards and promoting ethical labour practices across the UK construction industry.
