Combatting modern slavery

Modern slavery including forced labour is a major issue globally. The New Zealand Government takes this issue seriously and is committed to eradicating all forms of modern slavery.

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The problem

Modern slavery is a serious global issue and a breach of fundamental human and labour rights, as well as having a corrosive effect on trade.

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) an estimated 49.6 million people worldwide are subject to modern slavery including 27.6 million people in forced labour. Of the people trapped in forced labour, 15.4 million people are exploited in the private sector such as in domestic work, construction or agriculture; 6.3 million are in forced sexual exploitation, and 3.9 million are in forced labour imposed by state authorities.* Forced labour generates approximately US$236 billion in illegal profits yearly.**

* Data from ILO’s Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage (2021)
** Data from ILO’s Profits and poverty: The economics of forced labour (2024)

Some consumers and businesses are unknowingly supporting modern slavery through the purchase of goods and services here in New Zealand and overseas – including purchases of clothing, food, electronics, accommodation and a range of other goods and services.

New Zealand’s position

New Zealand is committed to actively contributing to international efforts towards the elimination of modern slavery, including forced labour, child labour, people smuggling and trafficking. New Zealand’s trade policy also recognises the need to respect and incorporate the observance of fundamental labour rights in our trade agreements.

New Zealand has enacted laws prohibiting slavery, trafficking in persons and forced labour in New Zealand and is a party to a number of international treaties dealing with the topic including:

What does this mean for New Zealand businesses?

Modern slavery should not form part of business operations or supply chains

Businesses as well as governments have a responsibility to recognise and respect human rights in their operations and to seek to prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts linked to their operations, products or services by their business relationships.

Many businesses internationally are working with their suppliers and consumers to ensure modern slavery including forced labour are not part of their supply chains. As well as helping eradicate these practices, this can help build consumer confidence and trust in the businesses concerned and positively differentiate them from their competitors.

The New Zealand Government encourages businesses to work with relevant industry groups and non-governmental organizations and seek independent advice to ensure human rights are upheld in their supply chains. Businesses with international supply chains are encouraged to assess the risk of modern slavery including forced labour in their supply chains and implement human rights due diligence as applicable.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights(external link), and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises(external link)provide guidance on best practices for this type of due diligence.

Businesses may find the following resources helpful in obtaining information on combatting modern slavery including forced labour in supply chains:

Further resources

The below New Zealand-specific resources provide guidance to businesses on how to ensure human rights are respected in business operations: