Co-op urges others to sign protocol to eradicate modern slavery

19 July 2018

The Co-op, which is campaigning to eradicate modern slavery, today (19 July) urged other businesses to join it and work towards eliminating the evil practice from all supply chains

The Co-op, which is the first client business outside the building sector to sign up to the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s (GLAA) protocol designed to help eliminate modern slavery from the construction industry, wants others to follow its lead.

The Co-op, which is committed to removing labour exploitation from all its supply chains including food, goods and services not for resale as well as construction and Facilities Management, sees the protocol as a way of refocussing its efforts.

It is also creating jobs for the victims of modern slavery through the innovative Bright Future, employment scheme which it devised in conjunction with charity City Hearts.

The scheme offers victims a four-week paid work placement leading to a non-competitive interview. If both elements are successful the candidate will be offered a permanent job within the host business.

In recent weeks Dixons Carphone and The Body Shop, in partnership with Single Resource, along with eight others, including independent Co-op societies, food suppliers and construction company Marshalls Plc have also joined Bright Future.

Andrew Lofty, Director of Construction, at the Co-op said: “I would urge all companies to join us and sign this important protocol which looks to eliminate modern slavery and labour exploitation from supply chains.

“We work across so many supply chains, not just food, where workers can be exposed to modern slavery.

“Our estates group engages with businesses building and maintaining our stores and the facilities management team interface with a variety of companies while our insurance business works with home repair contractors.

“Many of these involve sub-contracted labour and often multiple sub contracts - all with the potential to hide the worst excesses of labour exploitation.”

Mark Heath, Deputy Director of Business Change at GLAA said: “We are delighted that the Co-op has signed up to our Construction Protocol and pledged to fight modern slavery and labour abuse.

“When organisations agree to the protocol, they commit to work in partnership with us to protect vulnerable and exploited workers. They also agree to share information to stop exploitation and pledge to raise awareness of slavery through supply chains.

“Around three million people are employed in UK construction and the industry contributes over £100 billion to the economy. However, there are challenges and we consider construction to be a high risk sector for labour abuse and exploitation.

“It is therefore more important than ever for respected organisations such as the Co-op to sign up to the protocol and work with us to protect the reputation of the construction industry. Together, we can put an end to modern slavery and labour exploitation for good.”

Further information
Dave Smith
Corporate PR Manager Communications
Tel: 0161 692 4285
Mob: 07702152771
Email: dave.smith@coop.co.uk