

Act now
ADD YOUR VOICE TO END MODERN SLAVERY
Slavery still exists, and it’s hiding in plain sight.
From the clothes we wear to the food we eat, exploitation is woven into global supply chains. In 2018, Australia introduced the Modern Slavery Act to address this issue. It was a vital first step – but it hasn’t gone far enough. Right now, large companies are only required to report risks not take action.
IJM is calling on the Australian government to strengthen the Act by requiring companies to prevent and address exploitation, not just disclose it.
Stronger laws mean real accountability. They mean fewer people trapped in forced labour, safer working conditions, and supply chains that reflect our values.
It’s time to take action and move beyond reporting.
Background
WHY DO WE NEED A STRONGER MODERN SLAVERY ACT?
Many of the everyday products we buy in Australia are made, at least in part, by people working in exploitative conditions with little or no pay, unsafe environments, and no freedom to leave.
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50 MILLION PEOPLE
are living in modern slavery globally - up from 40 million in 20161
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$27 BILLION WORTH OF GOODS
at risk of forced labour are imported into Australia2
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THE TOP FIVE HIGH-RISK PRODUCTS
in G20 supply chains: electronics, garments, palm oil, solar panels, and textiles3
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62% OF COMPANIES
in Australia are failing to meet even the basic reporting requirements4
Timeline
ADVOCACY IN ACTION


Act Now
YOUR VOICE MATTERS
We should be able to trust that what we buy has not come at the cost of someone else’s freedom.
By strengthening the Modern Slavery Act, we can ensure companies who provide goods or services in Australia are obligated to take active and meaningful steps to ensure their supply chains are free from slavery.
1https://www.ilo.org/publications/major-publications/global-estimates-modern-slavery-forced-labour-and-forced-marriage
2https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/findings/importing-risk/
3https://www.walkfree.org/global-slavery-index/findings/importing-risk/
4Walk Free (2025) Beyond compliance. Available from: https://beyondcompliance.wikirate.org/dashboard/all-sectors