Combating Modern Slavery in Our Supply Chain
At Babcock, we are committed to promoting ethical practices in our supply chain.
We believe everyone deserves to work in safe and fair conditions. Our goal is to stop modern slavery and protect human rights. By working closely with our partners and suppliers, we aim to create a transparent and responsible supply chain. Procurement and supply chain professionals have a duty to protect workers in our supply chain, ensuring their rights and well-being are always prioritized.
50m
People are affected by modern slavery worldwide (walkfree.org)
28m
in forced labour
22m
in forced marriages (un.org)
$236bn
Forced labour alone generates approximately in illegal profits annually (weforum.org)
What is modern slavery?
Modern slavery encompasses various forms of exploitation, including forced labour, human trafficking, debt bondage, and child labour. It is a severe violation of human rights and is illegal in many countries, yet it persists in various industries worldwide.
Modern slavery is all around us, often hidden in plain sight. People can become enslaved making our clothes, serving our food, picking our crops, working in factories, or working in houses as cooks, cleaners or nannies. Victims of modern slavery might face violence or threats, be forced into inescapable debt, or have their passport taken away and face being threatened with deportation.
Many people have fallen into this trap because they were trying to escape poverty or insecurity, improve their lives and support their families. Now, they can’t leave.
Our commitment
Babcock International Group is dedicated to eliminating modern slavery within its operations and supply chain. The company upholds the highest ethical standards, conducts regular audits and assessments, and ensures compliance with relevant laws. Babcock works closely with suppliers to promote transparency, integrity, and the protection of human rights, striving to create a fair and responsible supply chain.
This commitment is detailed in our Modern Slavery Transparency Statement and reinforced through our Supplier Code of Conduct, which outlines the ethical standards we expect from all our partners.
Risks in supply chains
Modern slavery can infiltrate every stage of the supply chain, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and distribution. By understanding and addressing these risks, companies can build more resilient and ethical supply chains.
Common risks include:
Forced labour
Workers are coerced into working under threat or penalty, often in poor conditions and with little or no pay. This can occur at any stage of the supply chain, from raw material extraction to manufacturing and distribution.
Debt bondage
Workers are forced to work to repay a debt or loan, often with unfair terms that make it impossible to repay. This can trap workers in a cycle of exploitation.
Human trafficking
Individuals are transported and exploited through coercion or deception. This can involve moving people across borders or within a country to work in conditions of slavery.
Child labour
Children are employed in hazardous conditions, depriving them of their childhood, education, and future opportunities. This is particularly prevalent in industries like agriculture, mining, and textiles.
Poor supplier performance
Suppliers may engage in unethical practices to cut costs, leading to exploitation of workers and poor working conditions.
Reputational risk
Association with unethical practices, such as modern slavery, can damage a company’s reputation and lead to loss of consumer trust.
Open source learning
The training materials on this page are from reputable sources and are not created or owned by Babcock. We share them to support awareness and education on modern slavery.
What is modern slavery?
Training video, available on Vimeo from Be Slavery Free, an Australian coalition of civil society organizations dedicated to combating modern slavery but relevant globally.
What is modern slavery?
eLearning modules
Learning Modules available from the Australian Government Attorney General’s Department, aimed at Public Procurement but relevant to all Procurement activity.
Modern slavery e-learning
Supply Chain Sustainability School
The Supply Chain Sustainability School is a collaborative initiative offering free resources and training to enhance sustainability practices across various industries. Initially established for the construction sector, the School’s comprehensive learnings are applicable to all supply chains.
learn.supplychainschool.co.uk (requires sign-up)
Modern slavery benchmarking tool
Walk Free is an international human rights organization known for its Global Slavery Index, their mission involves pioneering research, direct intervention, and partnerships with frontline organizations to liberate people trapped in slavery.
Modern slavery benchmarking
Contact us
Babcock is an organisation with strong values of responsibility and integrity. Our Code of Conduct contains general guidelines for conducting business with the highest standards of ethics.
In situations where you prefer to place an anonymous report in confidence, you are encouraged to use this hotline, hosted by a third-party hotline provider, EthicsPoint. You are encouraged to submit reports relating to violations stated in our Code of Conduct, as well as asking for guidance related to policies and procedure and providing positive suggestions to improve the business.
Contact us