The term slavery is enough to bring to mind powerful images of human suffering and exploitation, with many baulking at the idea that anything comparable could be taking place in the modern age.
However, poorly understood risks and a lack of documentation can result in malpractice occurring without those in the construction sector being fully aware of what is transpiring.
As such, we want to call your attention to the risks present in the construction sector to ensure that your practices remain fully compliant with the law.
What are the modern slavery risks in the construction sector?
The construction sector is particularly vulnerable to compliance issues due to the complicated interconnection of different contractors, suppliers and services.
Some malpractice can occur accidentally if those involved are not fully aware of their obligations, although there are some in the sector seeking to directly exploit vulnerable people.
One of the biggest risks is centred around the use of temporary workers, often originating from different countries.
These workers are less likely to be aware of their rights and not necessarily notice if something is mishandled in their contracts, work responsibilities, or payments.
It is the duty of the employer to ensure that the rights of all workers are maintained, regardless of the length of employment or the country of origin of the worker.
Too often, those employing staff are also contending with costs and schedules and may not feel able to take the time to conduct due diligence.
Within the construction sector, the use of subcontractors can often obscure oversight of labour practices, making enforcement of regulations a challenge.
It should be noted that certain practices are best avoided, as there is unlikely to be an ethical way to continue with them and they may pose compliance risks.
These include debt bondage, wherein workers are forced to pay off recruitment fees or are charged for accommodation, food and transport beyond reasonable limits, as well as wage theft and the confiscation of documents.
All of these practices make it difficult for employees to seek alternative work and thus restrict their freedoms in a manner that is unlawful.
What needs to change in the construction sector to combat modern slavery?
The best changes will come from those working in the construction sector, gaining a greater awareness of their rights and responsibilities.
Research from King’s College London noted that a better utilisation of data around modern slavery could help inform policymakers to tackle problems directly.
They also emphasised that further research is required to understand the full scale of the problem to better determine the most effective course of action needed to abolish unlawful practices.
However, as those measures will take time to enact, we strongly recommend that all those in the construction sector remain vigilant.
If you notice practices that could be noncompliant or unlawful, it is your duty to report them as soon as possible.
If you are unsure about anything you have witnessed while working in the construction sector, our team of legal experts can assist you.
We will help you review policy and practices to ensure that all workers are treated fairly, as well as offering guidance on how to handle situations when you become aware of malpractice.
Modern slavery is a scourge and only by understanding best practice and being transparent about practices can we work to combat it.
Speak to our team today if you have any concerns about workplace practices in the construction sector.