Marshalls has
engaged the power of its nationwide logistics operation to help eradicate
modern slavery.
The entire logistics
management team has been trained by anti-slavery partner, Hope for Justice, and
a bespoke training film, in-house training programme and supporting material is
now being cascaded throughout logistics operations.
The initiative was
officially launched with the backing of West Yorkshire PCC and the Association of Police and Crime
Commissioners (APCC) lead on Modern Slavery, Mark Burns-Williamson, and with
the support of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA).
Mark
Burns-Williamson said “Businesses and their supply chains have a key role in
putting an end to modern slavery. They are invaluable partners and well
placed to help in the detection and prevention of these horrific crimes and
abuses. This is a great commitment by Marshalls PLC, a West
Yorkshire-based organisations, the UK’s leading hard landscaping and
construction materials company, and with a national and global
reach.
"Marshalls’ stance on this is already making a real
difference. I hope and believe this is something that other businesses
will definitely look to replicate and get involved in.
"Raising awareness
and providing training among frontline workers is key in helping eradicate such
abhorrent practices.”
Elaine Mitchel-Hill,
Business & Human Rights Lead, and responsible for Marshalls’ response to
the implementation of the Modern Slavery Act said, “Colleagues throughout our
logistics operations recognise their unique role in helping to eradicate modern
slavery. They absolutely know what’s right and what’s not; they are
already well equipped to make a moral judgement.
"This bespoke training
helps them to better understand the signs of modern slavery. They’re then
empowered to make a call and report what they’ve seen. And that’s all
we’re asking them to do. Simply understand the signs, to spot and then
report; that’s more than enough. Job Done.”
Mitchel-Hill
continued, “We already know that this highly visible front line logistics
initiative has incredible power in term of empowering and equipping colleagues
who are out delivering to construction site, yards and other locations not
always visible to law enforcers. In one instance within 24 hours of
training dash-cam footage was provided to local law enforcement when the driver
was able to recognise that what he was witnessing was most likely a serious
indication of modern slavery.”
Samantha Ireland,
Head of Business Change, at the GLAA who has developed and facilitates the GLAA
Construction Protocol Network commented, “Information and intelligence from the
construction sector is key. Since developing the Construction Protocol
and engaging deeply with the construction sector we’ve seen a significant
increase in reporting and instances modern slavery. This very practical
and powerful initiative from Marshalls is exactly what is required.”
Chris Harrop OBE,
Group Marketing Director responsible for Sustainability, joined the launch
event remotely from the businesses supply chain in China, “Our preventative
activity on-the-ground in the UK is every bit as important as the work that we
do across the globe in our supply chains.
"The extent of modern slavery in
the UK shows little sign of stopping or slowing. It was reported just
recently that 1 in 200 people globally are in slavery; more than 40 million
people worldwide and more than at any other time in history.
"It’s vital
that organisations really scrutinise their business operations to find areas
that can be leveraged in the fight against modern slavery. This frontline
initiative is very simple and very effective.”
Nigel Basey, Head of
Logistics said, “Throughout the coming weeks Marshalls’ entire fleet of
vehicles the length and breadth of the country will have the National Modern
Slavery Helpline Number (08000 121 700) clearly visible for all to see.
All of our logistics team are extremely engaged, well informed and keen to do
what they can to spot and report.”
Mitchel-Hill
concluded, “We’re already in discussions with a client and supplier
organisation both of whom have large logistics operations in the UK and who are
keen to adopt this Power of Logistics approach.
"We have committed to
making all of our Power of Logistics collateral and learnings available to
them, and any other companies that are interested, and to supporting them in
this endeavour because this space is about eradicating modern slavery and we’ll
do that only through true collaboration; this is absolutely not a competitive
space.”
