New bill seeks to require large employers to publish their modern slavery risks, incidents
The bill requiring large New Zealand firms to disclose modern slavery risks has passed its first reading.
The Modern Slavery Bill requires large employers to disclose modern slavery risks and incidents in their operations and supply chains, as well as what actions they are taking to combat modern slavery.
Under the proposal, companies and individuals that refuse to report or publish false or misleading statements may be fined up to $200,000.
It will also include civil penalties of up to $600,000, public naming, and potential liability for directors and senior managers.
"This legislation would bring us in line with other like-minded countries with similar values," said National MP for Maungakiekie Greg Fleming, a co-sponsor of the bill, in a statement.
"This is something that New Zealanders want, and modern slavery victims need."
Modern slavery in New Zealand
Modern slavery is an umbrella term that covers forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, slavery, as well as slavery-like practices, according to international human rights group Walk Free.
Its research showed that New Zealand is among the countries with the lowest prevalence of modern slavery in the Asia-Pacific region. However, it pointed out that there are an estimated 8,000 individuals living in modern slavery in New Zealand.
"This equates to a prevalence of 1.6 people in modern slavery for every thousand people in the country," the research read.
Meanwhile, separate research from World Vision, a charity dedicated to helping vulnerable children, revealed that Kiwis spend around $77 a week on average on goods linked to child labour, forced labour, or human trafficking.
TJ Grant, World Vision New Zealand National Director, said it was "momentous" to see the Modern Slavery Bill pass the first reading.
"Today's milestone shows that when New Zealanders speak up, change can happen, so I hope New Zealanders can feel proud that we have got to this point, but it doesn't end here - we need people to show their support through the Select Committee submission process," Grant said in a statement.
The Modern Slavery Bill will progress to the Education and Workforce Select Committee, where it will be open for submissions from the public.
"We have a real opportunity to get this right and with continued public support, New Zealand can move into 2027 with modern slavery laws that are strong, robust, and fit for purpose," Grant said.
Businesses and citizens in New Zealand have been calling for a Modern Slavery legislation for years. A poll in 2022 showed that 81% of New Zealanders support taking action on modern slavery.
