International Day for the Abolition of Slavery Has Message for Global Supply Chain Managers

With December 2, 2020 designated as the United Nations’ International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, companies should make certain their supply chains are clear of any slavery-oriented practices that could damage their reputation and business, as well as take steps to eradicate this abhorrent practice.

SCMR has addressed this issue several times in the recent past, and will carry more features in the future about current-day slavery, how it manifests itself, and how companies can protect against it.

While many supply chain stakeholders were concerned with containing the spread of an epidemic emanating from last year at this time in China, other major industry players are keeping their eyes fixed on addressing another scourge yet to be wiped out: Slavery

As reported here last February, a group of prominent manufacturing and retail leaders comprising The National Retail Federation, The American Apparel & Footwear Association, The United States Fashion Industry Association, and RILA spoke out with one voice against ongoing supply chain abuse.

Avetta, a global supply chain risk management specialist, tells SCMR that it is among the players currently working with its clients to understand how they may be at reputational jeopardy and how to protect against such calamities.

“While many think slavery has disappeared, that’s simply not true—and brands can be negatively impacted by these practices within their supply chains,” says Avetta. “And ignorance is no excuse.”

Here are some examples supplied by the company:

• Two major global sporting brands and a major soft drink company, all household names, suffered severe consequences to their brand, their bottom line and ultimately their global reputation after discovering companies within their supply chain were using child labor.
• Many top brands were scrutinized after a tragic fire in Bangladesh in 2013, claiming 1,134 lives of workers who were forced to work in slave-labor conditions. Both examples caused global outcry and despite industry initiatives, the impact to their brands has not gone away.

The facts:

• The United Nations states more than 40 million people (adults and children) are enslaved right now
• The International Labour Organization and World Economic Forum reports report 64 million girls and 88 million boys are engaged in child labor—-more than half in severely hazardous conditions

Finally, it will be interesting to see how a new U.S. Administration deals with this ongoing trade crisis.

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