Committed to shining a light on the face of modern slavery

By Josh Low

The Archdiocese of Hobart has released its second Modern Slavery Statement, which will be included in the Compendium of Modern Slavery Statements by the Australian Catholic Anti-Slavery Network (ACAN).

The past three years have seen the Archdiocese respond to the federal government’s Australian Modern Slavery Act by analysing modern slavery risks in its supply chain and operations.

Archbishop Julian said he was pleased that the modern slavery prevention program was laying a firm foundation within the Archdiocese’s agencies and controlled entities.

“By continuing this work we become champions of human dignity and expand the social impact of our work beyond the borders of our state and even our nation to help make a better world for the glory of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Modern Slavery Prevention Manager for the Archdiocese, Ben Smith, said the document outlined the framework of governance and explored modern slavery risks in operations and supply chains.

“What we’re doing is trying to reduce the risk (of modern slavery) and to understand what our suppliers are doing, what their employment practices are and where they’re sourcing their products from.

“Then we continue the process down the supply chain, examining the suppliers of our suppliers and beyond for any exploitative practices.

But what do modern slavery conditions look like?

Mr Smith explained that the face of modern slavery can be hidden in plain sight.

“It’s not like traditional slavery where they’ve got chains around their necks and are bought and sold in a slave market – this is a lot more kind of sophisticated and hidden,” he said.

“We look at whether people are being paid fairly, exploited in terms of safety or are they working in an unpleasant environment.

“The employer may have some sort of psychological or even physical control over them, controlling where they sleep, how they get to their job, or limiting contact with their family or friends.

Mr Smith added that most of the time, people who find themselves in modern slavery conditions come from overseas.

“They are working here and are vulnerable, because they don’t understand the laws, they’ve had their passport taken off them, English is their second language and they are cut off from their normal support mechanisms.

 “They end up working in fear, without being able to remove themselves from the situations they find themselves in.

“This is the face of modern slavery,” he said.

To view the Archdiocesan Modern Slavery Statement, along with those of other entities belonging to ACAN, visit: https://www.acan.org.au/acan-modern-slavery-statements

Photo: CNS/Marco Bello