"This really is the human rights issue of our time. A few years ago, the UN issued a challenge to eradicate slavery by 2030. As we sit here in 2025, we’re headed in the wrong direction."
John Schultz
"Modern slavery is with us today. It exists in every country in the world. It’s when somebody’s freedom is taken away, when they are exploited, when they are forced to work, and cannot get away. It is slavery in every sense of the term."
The Rt Hon. the Baroness May of Maidenhead
Key Takeaways
Global Scale and Hidden Nature: Modern slavery affects 50 million people globally 1 and occurs in unexpected places from McDonald’s restaurants to nail salons to IT data centers. It’s “the human rights issue of our time” but is heading in the wrong direction despite UN goals to eradicate it by 2030.
Systemic Business Case: Companies addressing modern slavery see productivity improvements and better workforce satisfaction, making it not just a human rights issue but a business and cost risk requiring C-suite attention.
Need for Coordinated Response: No single entity can solve this alone – it requires coordinated international action and comprehensive legislation mandating human rights due diligence throughout supply chains.
Action Items
For Business Leaders: Mandate comprehensive supply chain audits beyond first-tier suppliers, implement reward-based systems for identifying forced labor, and elevate anti-slavery efforts to C-suite priority with dedicated teams and resources.
For Governments and Regulators: Enact modern slavery legislation requiring human rights due diligence, create incentives for proactive identification and remediation, and develop cross-border cooperation mechanisms to address transnational trafficking.
For Technology and Data Initiatives: Democratize data sharing among anti-slavery organizations, leverage AI for insights while mitigating exploitation risks, and support initiatives like the Global Data Partnership to break down operational silos.
For Civil Society and Individuals: Strengthen grassroots monitoring where official audits may fail, remain vigilant for suspicious activity in local businesses, and support coordinating bodies such as the Global Commission for oversight and guidance.
For Youth Advocates and Cultural Diplomacy: Integrate modern slavery awareness into education and youth programs, use cultural exchange programs to build cross-border identification networks, and address gender inequality as a root cause.
For Immediate Next Steps: Review the Global Commission’s “No Country Is Immune” recommendations, establish protected reporting mechanisms for whistleblowers and vulnerable workers, foster cross-sector partnerships, and invest in survivor support systems addressing displacement challenges.
