The 18th October marks annual Anti-Slavery Day. Forced labour, slavery and human trafficking still destroy lives across the world – often entrapping the most vulnerable members of society, including those with disabilities, children and people fleeing persecution. Anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice’s research reveals 49.2 million people are trapped in slavery across the world, with this representing a 10 million increase over the last 5 years alone. In the UK, an estimated 122,000 are presently enslaved – with victims often forced into sham marriages, criminal activity, domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. These shocking statistics indicate the terrible scale of the problem and the need to take action across society and through government intervention.

The Co-operative Party has been a long-term campaigner against modern slavery.

In recent years, Labour & Co-operative councillors have led the way on confronting modern slavery in local government and within our communities. Over 100 councils have now signed the Co-operative Party’s Charter Against Modern Slavery, committing councils to vetting their operations and their supply chains for instances of modern slavery. Local government action on modern slavery demonstrates leadership which can often translate to wider action by local businesses and civic society organisations. We repeatedly campaigned for the last Government to fill the role of the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner – which was left vacant by the previous Government’s inaction.

The co-operative movement is a prominent leader in tackling modern slavery across Britain. Bright Future Co-op seeks to provide employment opportunities to survivors of modern slavery, with its membership including many of the UK’s leading co-operative societies, including Midcounties Co-op, the Co-op Group and East of England Co-op. Bright Future Co-op is the first time a major UK business has offered work placements to survivors of modern slavery, with the project being facilitated with the leading anti-modern slavery charity Causeway. Since its founding in 2020, Bright Future Co-op has found 85 survivors of modern slavery stable employment across different sectors including retail, childcare and construction. Bright Future Co-op aims for even greater impact in the coming years, with the objective for 2025 to achieve 100 placements and 50 permanent roles.

The Co-operative Party are proud of the role the co-operative movement has played in tackling modern slavery. We will continue to advocate for greater action to end modern slavery wherever it is found at a local and national level. If you worry someone is a victim of modern slavery, then please contact the Modern Slavery Hotline, which can help save lives.