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The UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has called for urgent action to prevent goods produced with forced labour from entering the country, warning that existing laws fail to protect workers or hold companies accountable.
In its new report, the Committee found that the UK’s current approach based largely on voluntary corporate reporting under the Modern Slavery Act is fails to prevent exploitation.
The report follows a long inquiry into how the UK addresses forced labour in global supply chain. The Committee received extensive evidence, including submissions from Walk Free.
The lack of meaningful enforcement and the absence of mandatory due diligence requirements mean that goods made with forced or child labour are likely being imported and sold in the UK.
Walk Free’s Global Slavery Index estimates the UK imports around US$26 billion in goods at risk of forced labour each year, including US$14.8 billion worth of solar panels.
The Committee highlighted the need to address forced labour risks in the green energy transition. Especially sourcing key materials used in solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicle batteries.
Cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements are essential components of renewable energy technologies. But these are frequently mined or processed in regions with high rates of labour exploitation.
More than 70% of the world’s cobalt supply comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where forced and child labour in artisanal mining is well documented.
China produces around 90% of the world’s polysilicon, most originating in Xinjiang. Investigations have revealed the use of state-imposed forced labour involving Uyghur and Turkic Muslim minorities.
To effectively address forced labour, Walk Free recommended that the UK Government:
The Joint Committee’s report adds political weight to increasing calls for stronger UK laws to address forced labour in global supply chains.
Civil society organisations that contributed evidence warned that current regulations are failing to prevent exploitation linked to goods sold in the UK.
If adopted, the Committee’s recommendations would represent a major policy shift.
This would level the playing field for ethical businesses, improve survivor rights, and bring the UK in line with global best practice.
Read the full report from the UK Parliament’s Joint Committee on Human Rights.