Modern slavery is not a historic issue — it’s happening today, embedded in the very supply chains that many businesses rely on. In 2025, the headlines are stark reminders that no sector is immune, and that reporting obligations alone are not enough.
At Go Well Consulting, we are proud to support a number of organisations to prepare and develop a world-class response to modern slavery in their business and supply chains — an area that no business can afford to ignore.
Already this year, Kmart in Australia has been taken to court by the Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association, which is calling for the retailer to disclose its links to a Jiangsu factory associated with forced Uyghur labour. This month, Oxfam Australia have published a report outlining the Australian apparel industries link to child labour and worker exploitation. Bumble Bee Foods in the United States is facing a lawsuit from Indonesian fishermen who allege debt bondage and physical abuse aboard fishing vessels supplying the brand. And in Brazil, BYD was forced to shut down operations after authorities uncovered 163 Chinese workers held in slavery-like conditions, their passports confiscated, and their movements restricted. Each of these cases highlights that modern slavery is still as present today as it has been in the past.
The regulatory environment is shifting too. In the UK, updated guidance under the Modern Slavery Act emphasises meaningful, victim-centred action rather than box-ticking. Canada has released its first guidance under the Forced Labour in Supply Chains Act, and Australia is reviewing its own legislation after mounting criticism of weak enforcement. Together, these developments show that companies are expected to move beyond disclosure and demonstrate genuine action.
Modern slavery is most likely to occur where supply chains are long, opaque, and cost-driven. High-risk sectors include textiles and apparel, where cotton continues to be linked to forced labour; electronics and solar panel development, where key components are often sourced from high-risk regions; seafood, where exploitative practices on distant-water vessels remain widespread; and agriculture, an industry of significant importance to New Zealand and Australian economies, where the exploitation of migrant and seasonal workforces are still prevalent. For businesses, the reality is that if you lack visibility beyond your direct suppliers, you may already be exposed to risks you cannot see.
At Go Well Consulting, we support organisations to cut through this complexity. We work with businesses to map supply chains and highlight areas of greatest risk. We help design and implement due diligence programmes that go beyond compliance, drawing on supplier engagement, innovation, and embedding transparency to bring hidden risks to light. When incidents are uncovered, we guide companies in taking victim-centred action, ensuring remediation focuses on the wellbeing and dignity of those affected, rather than just protecting reputations.
We also specialise in preparing Modern Slavery Statements that stand out from the crowd. Rather than generic reports, our statements are aligned with international legislative requirements, tailored to each client’s industry, and credible to stakeholders. They are designed not only to meet compliance expectations but also to demonstrate leadership and transparency. And, importantly, we help you build roadmaps for continuous improvement, so businesses are not just meeting today’s standards but preparing for tomorrows.
Modern slavery is not a problem that exists “somewhere else”, it represents a risk no business can afford to ignore in 2025. If your organisation needs support with risk assessments, due diligence, supply chain transparency, or preparing a Modern Slavery Statement, our team is here to help you meet global requirements and protect your reputation.
Written by Director of Supply Chain and Textiles, Vanessa Thompson.