header-logo header-logo

Freedom pass

20 January 2017 / Chris Syder
Issue: 7730 / Categories: Features , Human rights , Employment
printer mail-detail
nlj_7730_syder

Chris Syder & Eva Camus-Smith follow the fight against Modern Slavery

  • ​UK government introduces new Modern Slavery taskforce.

  • 40% increase in referrals of potential victims.

  • Business lip service risks far more onerous legislation.

It should come as no surprise that the crimes of Modern Slavery remain a high priority for the UK government: it was Theresa May, as Home Secretary, who brought into effect the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015).

MSA 2015 itself provides UK law enforcement with significant powers of prosecution. An individual found guilty of holding another in slavery or human trafficking may be sentenced to life imprisonment. During 2016 we saw not only how the provisions of MSA 2015 will be enforced against UK businesses but also the negative PR created for larger businesses within the perpetrator’s supply chain. For instance, Lithuanian migrants who were trafficked to work in UK farms producing eggs are suing a Kent-based gangmaster operation (DJ Houghton) and its directors. The migrants were working in supply chains producing premium free range eggs for McDonald’s, Tesco, Asda,

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
back-to-top-scroll