UK Lawmakers Push for Stronger Regulations on Forced Labour

UK lawmakers from the Business and Trade Committee are advocating for tougher regulations to combat forced labour and modern slavery in global supply chains. The lawmakers have proposed updates to Britain’s modern slavery laws, including penalties for companies that fail to publish modern slavery statements. Additionally, they are calling for a new criminal offence for businesses found to be involved in forced labour within their supply chains.
This move comes amid growing concerns about the exploitation of workers in various industries, particularly in regions where forced labour remains widespread. The U.S. has already taken significant steps by banning goods from China’s Xinjiang region, which is notorious for its use of forced labour, particularly in cotton production. The European Union is set to implement similar regulations by 2027, highlighting the increasing global focus on this issue.
As part of the ongoing scrutiny, UK lawmakers have also questioned major companies, such as Shein and Temu, regarding allegations that their products contain cotton sourced from Xinjiang. These companies have faced intense scrutiny due to concerns that their supply chains may be complicit in the forced labour practices occurring in the region. In particular, Shein’s response to questions about the origin of its cotton has raised significant concerns, with critics questioning the transparency of the company’s sourcing practices.
The proposed changes to the UK’s modern slavery laws reflect growing pressure on companies to be more transparent and accountable for their supply chains, especially when it comes to ensuring that no forced labour is involved. With lawmakers pushing for stronger regulations, it is clear that the issue of forced labour is becoming an increasingly urgent topic in global trade discussions.