Rathbones' Archie Pearson: Why should we care about modern slavery?

Affects all sectors of economy

clock • 5 min read

Modern slavery is defined by the UK government as the recruitment, movement, harbouring or receiving of children, women or men through the use of force, coercion, abuse of vulnerability, deception or other means for the purpose of exploitation.

Modern slavery is an illicit trade which affects all sectors of the economy and is therefore considered to be a systemic risk. In 2016, 40.3 million people were held in modern slavery; 24.9 million in forced labour and 15.4 million in forced marriages 1 in 4 victims of modern slavery are children Of 24.9 million in forced labour, 16 million were exploited in the private sector (domestic work, construction, agriculture), 4.8 million in forced sexual exploitation and 4 million in forced labour imposed by state authorities. The Modern Slavery Act (2015) requires all companies abov...

To continue reading this article...

Join Investment Week for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, analysis and opinion from the investment industry, including the Sustainable Hub covering fund news from the ESG space
  • Get ahead of regulatory and technological changes affecting fund management
  • Important and breaking news stories selected by the editors delivered straight to your inbox each day
  • Weekly members-only newsletter with exclusive opinion pieces from leading industry experts
  • Be the first to hear about our extensive events schedule and awards programmes

Join now

 

Already an Investment Week
member?

Login

More on ESG

FIF25: SDR plans for MPS should be 'natural progression' for FCA
ESG

FIF25: SDR plans for MPS should be 'natural progression' for FCA

A ‘clear’ move for industry

Isabel Baxter
clock 05 June 2025 • 2 min read
FE fundinfo's Helen Slater: ESG's defence debate hinges on transparency
ESG

FE fundinfo's Helen Slater: ESG's defence debate hinges on transparency

Clearer disclosure will be key

Helen Slater
clock 05 June 2025 • 4 min read
Trump concerns cause global investors to shun US sustainable companies
ESG

Trump concerns cause global investors to shun US sustainable companies

Europe leads in climate investing

Beth Brearley
clock 04 June 2025 • 2 min read
Trustpilot