Latest modern slavery fight updates - FreedomUnited.org

Modern Slavery Law Proposed in Hong Kong

  • Published on
    January 29, 2018
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Forced Labor, Human Trafficking, Law & Policy, Supply Chain
Hero Banner

A member of Hong Kong’s legislative council, Dennis Kwok, is proposing a new law on modern slavery. The draft bill is similar in content to the UK’s Modern Slavery Act and, if passed, would impose impose annual reporting requirements for businesses as well as in addition to criminal offenses and a civil cause of action against persons or entities committing or benefiting from modern slavery.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reports:

Bodies corporate and partnerships conducting business in Hong Kong whose turnover exceeds a threshold amount would each financial year be required to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement. The turnover threshold is proposed to be set by regulation…Similar to the UK Act, the Draft Bill requires that the slavery and human trafficking statement must:

  • detail the steps taken that financial year to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in any part of the organisation’s business or in any of its supply chains. If no steps have been taken, the statement would have to state that;

  • be approved by the board of directors (or equivalent) and signed by a director (or general partner); and

  • be published on the company’s website with a link to that statement appearing in a prominent place on the homepage

While the draft bill has been submitted to the Chief Executive, there has yet to be an official response, meaning there is no timetable for the legislature to discuss yet.

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

Haiti’s children are being forcibly recruited into violent gangs

Haiti's escalating gang violence is having a devastating impact on its most vulnerable citizens—children. Armed groups are increasingly recruiting boys and girls, offering them basic survival needs in exchange for their lives and freedom. According to a recent report by Human Rights Watch (HRW), children are being lured into these violent organizations under the guise of protection and sustenance, but what follows is a life of exploitation that can only

| Wednesday October 9, 2024

Read more