UK businesses provide hundreds of jobs for modern slavery victims

23 July 2018

A growing number of businesses are creating hundreds of jobs for victims of modern slavery by joining an innovative employment scheme devised by the Co-op, MPs will hear today (Monday 23 July)

Steve Murrells, CEO of the Co-op, will tell a Businesses Against Modern Slavery Forum at Westminster that firms are signing up at a rate of almost one a week and that The John Lewis Partnership is the latest household name to pledge to provide employment for people rescued from enslavement under the Bright Future programme.

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.

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.

All the businesses that have joined the scheme work hand in hand with a nationwide network of local victim support charities, established by the City Hearts charity in conjunction with the Co-op, to identify suitable applicants.

Already more than 50 vulnerable survivors are being given a chance to rebuild their lives by the Co-op and it is envisaged that up to 300 will secure placements through the Bright Future programme by 2020.

“This is corporate responsibility at its best,” Mr Murrells told the forum. “Not only is business stepping up to the plate and providing jobs for the victims of modern slavery but by adopting this programme they are also highlighting the existence of this evil crime amongst their staff, suppliers and customers.

“We think of slavery as something from the history books but it is happening in towns, cities and even rural areas across the UK at this very moment.

“Having heard at first hand the harrowing stories of people who have been caught up in this heinous crime, I am proud that we are working to help eliminate it and that others are that so many other businesses joining us in providing job opportunities.

“Victims need to be supported while they rebuild their lives and central to that is the dignity that paid, freely chosen employment provides. Without this, there is a real chance that they could fall back into the hands of those who have exploited them and for the terrible, unspeakable cycle of enslavement to begin again.”

Minister for Crime Safeguarding and Vulnerability, Victoria Atkins, said: “Modern slavery is a despicable crime affecting the most vulnerable people in our society, who are targeted by ruthless predatory criminals.

“We are leading the world in the fight against it through the Modern Slavery Act and our advanced law enforcement response, but businesses have a vital role to play, especially when it comes to eradicating this crime in their supply chains.

“It is therefore encouraging to see new businesses supporting victims through the Co-op’s Bright Future programme, giving them an opportunity to re-build their lives and move on from the exploitation they have faced.”

Benet Northcote, Director, Corporate Responsibility for the John Lewis Partnership, said: "Our approach to tackling modern slavery is influenced by our values as an employee owned business. We have long been committed to raising labour standards, improving working conditions and creating fairly rewarded employment, so we are pleased to be part of this scheme. For people rebuilding their lives after being victim to such a terrible crime as modern slavery, the opportunity to experience how positive and empowering work can be is tremendously exciting."

Chris Harrop, Group Marketing & Sustainability Director, Marshalls plc added, “We’re delighted to be the first in the construction sector to support Bright Future. Survivors have been through terrible ordeals and we want to do all that we can to assist them in a positive way. With 50+ sites across the UK we’re in a great position to do this. Bright Future makes sense for the survivor, for communities and for our business.”

Phillip Clayton, Head of Development said: “City Hearts believes in the restoration and freedom of every life. We are honoured to work alongside so many businesses in Bright Future, providing hope where many had none.

“In over a decade of working with survivors of slavery, many are victims of horrendous and unspeakable crimes against their most basic human rights. However, we have witnessed the profound impact that Bright Future can have on a life.

“We are delighted with the variety and number of opportunities provided by these new business partners that will strengthen what we can offer through the National Matching System. “Knowing that businesses are rising up to make a difference, many more survivors will experience dignity, hope and real transformation.”

Notes to editors:
The companies who have joined the Co-op in agreeing to offer jobs to the victims of modern slavery under the Bright Future programme are:
National businesses:
The John Lewis Partnership
The Body Shop in partnership with Single Resource
Dixons Carphone
Co-op suppliers and national businesses:
ABP, Meat manufacturing company
Tulip, Meat manufacturing company
2 Sisters Food Group, Food manufacturing company,
Greencore, Convenience food product manufacturing company,
Flamingo flowers – Horti and agriculture producer
Marshalls Plc – a construction company

Independent Co-op societies: Mid Counties Co-op
East of England Co-op

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