Amnesty International’s recent report on child labour in supply chains reported children as young as seven working in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt is used in mobile phone batteries and Amnesty accuses several global electronics brands of failing to do basic supply chain checks. Raising awareness of child labour issues can help in advancing SDG target 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking by 2025.
In March 2015 the Modern Slavery Act became law and its effect on UK businesses will be significant. The first of its kind in Europe, and one of the first in the world, the Act specifically addresses slavery and human trafficking in the 21st century, and is one of the most important pieces of legislation for supply chain due diligence. The Act will directly contribute to advancing the SDG target 8.7 to eradicate forced labour, end modern salvery and human trafficking by 2025.
