Human Rights & Forced Labour: The New Corporate Mandate
In the current global economy, the definition of corporate sustainability has expanded far beyond carbon footprints and environmental targets.
As supply chains become increasingly complex, the issues of human rights and forced labour have moved from the periphery of corporate social responsibility to the centre of strategic risk management.
What are human rights and forced labour?
At its core, human rights are the fundamental entitlements and freedoms that belong to every person in the world, from liberty and freedom of speech to the right to work in safe, fair conditions.
For a corporation, respecting human rights means ensuring that its operations – and those of its suppliers – do not infringe upon these basic protections.
Forced labour, as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), refers to all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily.
Modern slavery manifests in various forms, including debt bondage, the withholding of identity documents and deceptive recruitment practices.
With an estimated 27.6 million people in forced labour globally, the risk to international business is both a moral imperative and an operational threat.
The shifting regulatory landscape
Governments are introducing stringent legislation that mandates transparency and accountability.
From the UK Modern Slavery Act to the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), companies are now legally responsible for identifying and mitigating human rights abuses within their entire value chain.
These regulatory pressures are matched by evolving stakeholder expectations. Investors, consumers and employees are increasingly demanding proof of ethical conduct.
A single instance of forced labour within a Tier 3 or Tier 4 supplier can cause irreparable damage to brand value, leading to legal sanctions, divestment and a loss of public trust.
To navigate these complexities, senior sustainability executives must move beyond traditional compliance. Overcoming human rights challenges requires a proactive, multi-layered strategy:
- Robust Due Diligence: Companies must implement rigorous human rights due diligence (HRDD) processes. This involves identifying potential risks, taking action to prevent abuses and tracking the effectiveness of those interventions.
- Deep-Tier Transparency: Visibility is the greatest weapon against exploitation. Using technologies such as blockchain and AI-driven supply chain mapping allows firms to gain insights into the lower tiers of their supply chain, where risks are often hidden.
- Ethical Sourcing and Collaboration: Rather than cutting ties with high-risk suppliers – which can often worsen the situation for vulnerable workers – leading organisations work collaboratively with suppliers to improve standards and ensure fair recruitment practices.
- Grievance Mechanisms: Establishing safe, anonymous channels for workers to report abuses is essential for early detection and remediation.
Join the discussion at Sustainability LIVE
As these issues become more pressing, the need for leadership and cross-industry collaboration has never been greater.
To address these themes, Sustainability LIVE @ London Climate Action Week – The Leadership Summit will host a dedicated panel on the future of corporate ethics.
The Future of Human Rights & Forced Labour
Date: 25 June 2026
Time: 12:15-13:00 (BST)
Location: The ThinkTank, CodeNode London
Explore how evolving human rights expectations are reshaping corporate responsibility in a rapidly changing global economy.
This panel brings together senior leaders to examine the growing risks and regulatory pressures linked to forced labour across supply chains.
Attendees will gain practical insight into due diligence, transparency and ethical sourcing strategies that protect both people and brand value. Designed for senior sustainability executives, this session will highlight emerging best practice and actionable steps to futureproof your organisation’s human rights approach.
By integrating human rights into the core of business strategy, organisations contribute to a more equitable global economy and ensure their long-term resilience in an increasingly transparent world.
