Several researchers in Management and Marketing are addressing modern slavery, from company responses to Australia’s Modern Slavery reporting regime to exploitation in the fashion industry.
The problem
In 2021, 49.6 million people were living in conditions of modern slavery, working across service and production industries from domestic work to fashion. Over 70% are estimated to be women and girls. The social, financial and environmental vulnerabilities that put people at risk are intrinsically linked to climate change, so as temperatures rise, the number of people vulnerable to slavery is expected to grow.
The research
Several researchers address these exploitative practices from different angles. Associate Professor Bhakoo evaluates company responses to Australia’s Modern Slavery reporting regime, with the latest report providing a toolkit to prevent slavery in supply chains. Associate Professor Carrington investigates how consumers perpetuate modern slavery, filling a critical gap in understanding its drivers. Dr Meshram focuses on caste hierarchies in perpetuating vulnerabilities, and B2B procurement practices in addressing modern slavery in the fashion industry.
The impact
Professor Bhakoo’s team recently launched Australia's Modern Slavery Act: Is It Fit For Purpose? at the Australian Government Modern Slavery Conference with over 200 industry, government, NGO, and academic stakeholders. Associate Professor Carrington’s international team has citations in the UK Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s annual reports, presented to UK Cabinet and House of Lords modern slavery working groups, and had uptake of research findings by NGOs. Dr Meshram’s research on caste and modern slavery in India has been widely disseminated in the media.
Department: Management and Marketing
Area: Modern slavery
Researchers
Sustainable Development Goals
We align our research activity with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).