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The Modern Slavery Act Australia came into effect in 2018, and it has far-reaching implications for the Australian business community.

 

So what does this mean for businesses operating in Australia? And how should you take action to ensure your business is compliant?

 

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Modern Slavery Act, discuss how it will affect businesses operating in Australia, and provide helpful tips for how to get started.

 

 

What Is The Modern Slavery Act?

 

Australia’s Modern Slavery Act is legislation specific to human trafficking. The legislation also has provisions that are unique to Australia.

 

It aims to prevent Australians from being exploited, enslaved, or trafficked in any way – whether at home, in the community, or abroad.

 

The Australian government and the International Labour Organization have called it a “game-changer for human rights.”

 

 

How Does The Modern Slavery Act Affect Businesses In Australia?

 

The Australian Government states that the modern slavery act Australia is targeted at ‘modern slavery, which is defined as:

 

  • slavery and practices similar to slavery;
  • human trafficking;
  • forced labor;
  • the exploitation of prostitution;
  • recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of persons by means whereof their liberty is deprived.

 

Therefore, the Australian Government states it will focus on three key areas: prevention, protection, and prosecution. The law also places a responsibility on corporations who operate in Australia to take reasonable steps to ensure they are not using slave labor for goods or services.

 

All businesses operating in Australia should review and understand the implications of this legislation even if they do not have any operations outside of Australia

 

 

Some Of The Actions Recommended By The Department

 

If you trade internationally, you should check whether your overseas suppliers are compliant with their local laws – if they’re not compliant you will need to become aware of their risks so that you can mitigate them

 

  • You must train your staff on modern slavery and how it may affect their work
  • Ensure safe recruitment processes
  • Remove ads from unlicensed websites
  • Beware of supply chains where risk is high
  • Check if there are any gaps in your procurement process

 

 

The Future Of Modern Slavery Compliance In Australia

 

The modern slavery act australia is an important piece of legislation in the fight against human trafficking. It’s the world’s first modern slavery-specific legislation and has far-reaching implications for the Australian business community.

 

Australian businesses will need to comply with these new regulations, both under their watch and as a result of increased governmental scrutiny.

 

 

Summing Up The Modern Slavery Act

 

The Modern Slavery Act, Australia’s new legislation to combat human trafficking, will come into effect in 2018. The legislation is the world’s first law specific to human trafficking and includes provisions that are unique to Australia.

 

The act amends several existing statutes and introduces a range of new offenses relating to forced labor, slavery, sexual servitude, deceptive recruiting, and debt bondage. It also creates several obligations for organizations operating in the Australian market. Organizations will need to take steps to ensure they comply with the legislation’s requirements to avoid criminal penalties or civil action.

 

 

 

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