Modern Slavery Legislation

Kiwis care about the people who make our products. Submit to support modern slavery law. Support dignity and fairness for everyone.
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We need modern slavery law now


No matter where they live, people should be safe at work, treated with dignity, and rewarded fairly. Right now, modern slavery stands in the way of those things for 40 million people around the world. And here in New Zealand – we’re connected to the problem. Many of the people stuck in slavery right now are producing products we use every day.

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40 million

people are in slavery.

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10 million

are children.

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2 in 3 live in Asia Pacific

a region that many of our products come from.


Submit to support dignity and fairness today.

<br>Submit to support dignity and fairness today.

Last year, over 37,000 Kiwis signed a petition calling for modern slavery legislation. In February, the petitions committee recommended that Government bring legislation addressing modern slavery before the house as soon as possible.

Right now, the New Zealand government want to hear from you – they want to know if you support modern slavery law and what you think it should look like.

This is our chance to say that we want modern slavery legislation to prioritise people in supply chains.


Submit to support modern slavery law today.
 

 

 


We're supporting the government's consultation to put law in place that ensures we’re doing everything we can to stop slavery from being in our supply chains. Australia, the United Kingdom, and many countries in the EU already have legislation in place that protects people. New Zealand needs to catch up.

Together, as we call on our government to make this law a reality, we’re supporting accountability for business and dignity for everyone – no matter who they are or where they live.


What we've achieved together.

<br>What we've achieved together.

We were invited to share evidence in support of modern slavery legislation with the Petitions Committee in November of 2021. We shared about the three key things we believe legislation should include for it to have real impact.

In February, the The Petitions Committee responded to the petition of World Vision and Trade Aid and recommended the government bring legislation addressing modern slavery before the house as soon as possible.

On the 8th of April, the Ministry of Workplace Relations and Safety announced that the government is seeking feedback on a proposed law to address modern slavery and worker exploitation in supply chains and operations. 

That’s why we’re asking you to submit to support this important proposal for law.

 

 

Time to act - New Zealand downgraded to ‘Tier 2’ in US TIP Report

In the same week that a petition calling for a New Zealand Modern Slavery Act was presented to Parliament, New Zealand was downgraded to a ‘Tier 2’ ranking in the United States Trafficking in Persons (US TIP) report. We're urge the Government continue its efforts in this area and prioritise the introduction of legislation.

Learn more

A Case for Modern Slavery Legislation: World Vision’s submission to the Petitions Committee

In June, together with Trade Aid, we handed over a petition signed by more than 37,000 New Zealanders calling on our government to pass a Modern Slavery Act. Now we have given evidence to the Petitions Committee about what kind of law is needed in New Zealand.

Learn more


Modern slavery can be found in almost every sector, region and industry in the world.

On average, in 2019, every adult in New Zealand drank three cups of coffee a week associated with child and forced labour.

No child should have to work instead of going to school. 13-year-old Elijah has been forced to cut coffee plants since he was just 7-years old. For kids like Elijah, the hours are long and the work is dangerous.

Elijah dreams of a brighter future, he hopes to become a teacher one day.

In 2019, New Zealand imported more than $45.5 million, or 700 million cups of coffee that was risky. The top four sources of risky coffee were Brazil (27.9%), Colombia (22.1%), Vietnam (20.9%) and Guatemala (9.9%).






What will a Modern Slavery Act do?

Modern Slavery Acts make it easier for consumers like you and me to expect slavery-free products and services from companies. They help prevent slavery through allowing us to see where things come from - and calling them out if they come from slavery. They require businesses to understand the risks of modern slavery in their purchasing, report on those risks and take action to address them. They give the business community guidance and a level playing field.


Billions of dollars of New Zealand imports linked to modern slavery.

<br>Billions of dollars of New Zealand imports linked to modern slavery.

Every household in New Zealand spends on average $34 a week on goods associated with either forced labour or child labour – that’s only slightly less than we spend on electricity a week. 

Right now, there is no requirement for businesses to do basic checks on their supply chains. This ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ approach means that it’s almost impossible for kiwis to have confidence that what we buy and use is slavery-free.

Learn more about the risky goods New Zealand imports.

$348 million

worth of risky shoes imported in 2019.

That's more than 20 million pairs of risky shoes – four pairs for every Kiwi.


Nasrin should’ve been in school, learning and dreaming about her future.

<br>Nasrin should’ve been in school, learning and dreaming about her future.

Nasrin (15), Bangladesh

Instead, Nasrin was working in a garment factory cutting denim for jeans.Nasrin would work 12 hours a day, and had cuts all over her hands from the scissors she used. “My boss uses bad language when I cannot fulfil my duties quick enough. The words can not be repeated,” Nasrin said. “Sometimes I cry when that happens, but I look down, hide my tears with my scarf.”​

She was expected to cut enough denim for 1,500 pairs of denim a day, all to earn the equivalent of $1.80.​

Girls like Nasrin shouldn’t have to work crazy hours in dangerous conditions. The factory she works in should be required to have health and safety standards. The introduction of modern slavery legislation in New Zealand is needed so that changes are made down the supply chain, and the lives of girls like Nasrin are changed for the better.​