Environment, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) impact on our industry in Asia goes beyond emissions and electric vehicles (EVs).

Slavery is a global issue that continues to plague many countries, including some in Asia. As a business in Asia, it is important for you to be aware of this issue and understand the impact it can have on your company. According to the International Labour Organization, there are an estimated 40.3 million people in modern slavery globally. This includes forced labour, child labour, debt bondage and human trafficking. In fact, it is estimated that one in four victims of modern slavery are in the Asia Pacific region. As members of the Asian Lubricants Industry Association, it is our responsibility to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to prevent modern slavery in our supply chains. This includes understanding the definition of modern slavery, conducting thorough due diligence, implementing robust policies and procedures, and taking action to address any instances of modern slavery that may arise.

Anti-modern slavery laws have been introduced in many G20 countries like the UK, U.S., Germany and Australia. These laws impact any company whose product ends up being used in any country which has introduced these laws. Ensuring your products comply with these laws will also require you to manage your suppliers and operations. In recent years, we have seen numerous examples of companies falling foul of these laws and facing severe consequences. For example, in 2020, a UK fashion retailer was forced to pay over £1 million in fines for failing to prevent modern slavery in its supply chain. Another company, based in the US, faced legal action and public backlash after it was discovered that it was using forced labor in its factories. One of the largest medical gloves manufacturer in the world also fell foul of the laws, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) banned gloves made by them at the height of COVID after its finding that its products were made using forced and indentured labour.

During this webinar, we will discuss the definition of modern slavery and its prevalence in the world today, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. We will also explore the ways in which your business can help combat this issue and protect both your employees and your reputation.

To understand more on this subject, ALIA will bring you this webinar at 10.30 am, 13th January 2023. Please register using the link below to secure your spot.