Supply Chain Must Address Human Rights Due Diligence, Say Anti-Slavery Advocates
As the gig economy continues to expand, organizations such as Anti-Slavery International are sounding alarms about potential exploitation within the supply chains of major delivery firms like Deliveroo, Just Eats, and Uber Eats. They assert that these companies are largely unpunished for the potential mistreatment of delivery riders who rely on e-mobility for their work. This call to action comes just ahead of a new UK government Code of Conduct, set to take effect on October 1st, which introduces Right to Work checks for the gig economy.
The upcoming legislation signifies a pivotal shift, imposing hefty fines—up to £60,000—on companies employing subcontractors working illegally. Nonetheless, critics argue that existing frameworks fail to mandate comprehensive human rights due diligence, essentially allowing abuses within these supply chains to persist. Consequently, advocacy groups are urging legislators to enforce stricter laws to protect vulnerable gig workers.
Lorcan Jackson-McLaughlin from Anti-Slavery International highlights that reports of exploitation in supermarket supply chains are widespread, particularly among gig workers delivering groceries to customers. Stronger regulation is not merely recommended but deemed necessary. The charity, along with the British Retail Consortium, is calling for mandatory due diligence to seriously address labor exploitation.
While the UK government has reported doubling arrests for illegal working within two years, it lamentably lacks data on how many of these individuals are potential victims of modern slavery. This gap in information raises concerns that businesses could report a lack of compliance without taking necessary actions to ensure human trafficking is not present in their operations.
The current lack of legislation permits many companies, including retail giants and platform operators, to evade accountability. As Jackson-McLaughlin emphasizes, without legislative pressure, delivery companies are unlikely to act responsibly.
The British Retail Consortium agrees that while delivery firms and supermarkets have enhanced their safeguards against exploitation, governmental action is essential to combat labor exploitation at its origin through obligatory human rights due diligence.
Ben Knowles from cycle logistics firm PedalMe notes that insufficient regulations place ethical businesses at a competitive disadvantage. The proliferation of low-cost, non-compliant products often undercuts the legitimate market, forcing compliant operators either to exit or compromise their standards. This scenario is equally applicable to labor practices in the gig economy.
With the approaching implementation of the new Code of Conduct, observers are poised to monitor its effects. However, there is concern that companies may still escape significant accountability by claiming they have taken no steps to prevent slavery and human trafficking within their operations.
The absence of data surrounding illegal working situations makes it difficult to gauge the true extent of exploitation in the UK. Meanwhile, a responsible business conduct review is eagerly awaited, with advocates emphasizing that prompt action is crucial. The UK lags behind other nations in adopting mandatory due diligence legislation, putting it at risk of falling further behind.
Research indicates that exploitation is not confined to the UK alone. In France, a study revealed that two-thirds of gig economy delivery cyclists work illegally, with many renting accounts from third parties, thereby paying a significant portion of their earnings to these account holders. This scenario hints at a broader pattern of exploitation across borders, where similar structures are likely present in the UK.
The effects of inadequate pay levels, combined with potential risks from unregulated equipment, threaten the very fabric of the gig economy and its reputation. Such conditions have driven demand for non-compliant e-bikes, which not only confound legal definitions but also jeopardize public perception of e-mobility as a whole.
The gig economy’s continued evolution will undoubtedly depend on regulatory bodies taking assertive steps to protect workers’ rights. The stakes are high, and as the industry faces both ethical and economic challenges, the necessity for robust and actionable legislation has never been clearer.
Sources:
- Anti-Slavery International
- British Retail Consortium
- Recent legislation announcements
- Academic studies on gig economy practices
