Companies Not Asked To Report Slavery In Supply Chains Under New Laws [UK]

[UK] Home Office says government wants to work with businesses to eliminate forced labour without placing a burden on them

New laws to tackle slavery will not ask companies to reveal forced labour in their supply chains because it could be too much of a burden, the government has indicated.

On the day the Guardian published evidence that some seafood being sold in the UK is linked to slavery, it emerged the Home Office will not for the moment require companies to report on whether their suppliers are completely free of forced labour.

The Home Office said it takes the issue extremely seriously and has not ruled out legislating to make reporting requirements tougher for companies. Theresa May, the home secretary, will meet businesses on Wednesday to discuss eradicating slavery from supply chains. However, it is understood the voluntary approach is favoured at present.