Episódios
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Have you ever considered the impact of basic necessities on vulnerability to human trafficking? Kelsey Hill, the founder of Beyond Beauty for Survivors, shares her eye-opening journey and the crucial work her organization is doing to prevent human trafficking in Uganda. Through her experiences, Kelsey highlights the importance of providing resources like food, water, and education to vulnerable populations to reduce the risk of exploitation. It's incredible to see how simple resources like reusable pads and soap production machines can make a significant difference in the lives of those at risk.
Kelsey's story sheds light on the harsh realities faced by women and children in Uganda, where poverty and lack of resources contribute to their vulnerability to trafficking. By focusing on prevention and long-term job sustainability, Beyond Beauty aims to empower survivors and offer them opportunities for a better future. The organization's efforts to provide essential resources like food, water, and medical care, as well as job opportunities through soap production and other initiatives, are truly inspiring.
The impact of Beyond Beauty's work goes beyond just providing immediate aid. By creating sustainable solutions and empowering women and children with skills and resources, the organization is helping to break the cycle of vulnerability and exploitation. Kelsey's dedication to making a difference in the lives of survivors and at-risk individuals is a testament to the power of grassroots initiatives and community support in combating human trafficking.
As we reflect on Kelsey's journey and the work of Beyond Beauty for Survivors, it's a reminder that even small actions can have a significant impact on those in need. By supporting organizations like Beyond Beauty and getting involved in prevention efforts, we can all play a role in ending human trafficking and creating a safer, more equitable world for everyone. Let's join Kelsey in her mission to empower survivors and prevent exploitation, one life at a time.
Resources
Kelsey Hill on LinkedIn | Beyond Beauty for Survivors -
Human trafficking lurks in unexpected corners, revealing its grim presence even in seemingly ordinary spaces. Sandy Biback, a meetings professional with over four decades of experience, discovered this sobering truth firsthand. In response, she established Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking (MPAHT), taking proactive steps to address the issue. In this episode of Hidden Traffic Podcast, Sandy and host Gwen Hassan uncover the surprising prevalence of human trafficking in the hotel and meetings industry and what we can do about it.
After a trip overseas opened her eyes, Sandy started investigating human trafficking in her hometown of Toronto. She soon discovered how widespread it is, including the shocking statistic that 90% of those trafficked in Canada are Canadian-born. Sandy decided to leverage her industry connections and founded MPAHT to raise awareness and promote training. Hotels and planners now recognize they have a duty to combat exploitation that could be enabling trafficking.
This issue needs more than a one-time training, Sandy explains; have ongoing conversations and check-ins to ensure it remains top of mind. She also suggests saving the National Human Trafficking Hotline number on your phone. However, you should not directly intervene if you witness anything suspicious, for both your safety and the victims’. Instead, "phone to the front desk and make a noise complaint, and they’ll send somebody right away," she advises.
On a corporate level, Sandy urges meeting planners and procurement teams to query venues and suppliers about their anti-trafficking policies before booking. Vote with your wallets to inspire change. She remarks, “If I’m a meeting planner, and I’m coming in with half a million dollars worth of business, and you can’t tell me about your hotel’s training or awareness, but this hotel can, and it’s the same price, guess where I’m taking my business?”
Rather than reinvent the wheel, Sandy says, use the resources that already exist to help combat human trafficking. For example, PACT offers free resources, including best practices and training. Our collective responsibility is to remain vigilant, educate others, and affect positive change in the industry to protect vulnerable people from exploitation.
Resources
Sandy Biback on LinkedIn | X (Twitter)
Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking
PACT -
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Online scammers prey on vulnerable individuals using insidious psychological tactics, often forcing them to work under deplorable conditions in gated compounds. In this episode of the Hidden Traffic Podcast, Gwen Lee Hassan sits down with Valentina Casulli and MD Abdus Salam from Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC) to expose the sinister world of human trafficking. Together, they and Gwen highlight the urgency of exposing and addressing this hidden aspect of human trafficking and explore how HRC is creating a comprehensive strategy to combat human trafficking in all its forms.
Salam shares a chilling personal experience of being trapped in a scam compound, detailing the manipulative tactics used by scammers. Scam mills often create fake personas to deceive individuals into thinking they can make money through trading or other activities. These fake characters are designed to appear trustworthy, exploiting the victim's trust and leading them into the scam. Additionally, the scammers also use sophisticated psychological tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals. This manipulation can take various forms, such as emotional manipulation in romance scams or creating a false sense of urgency in cryptocurrency scams.
Valentina describes scam compounds as having a physical appearance that resembles apartment blocks. These structures often house rows of computers where individuals work on various online scams. Scam workers endure extraordinarily long working hours, confined in a small space with little freedom of movement.
Humanity Research Consultancy (HRC) adopts a comprehensive and localized approach to tackle the issue of human trafficking within online scams and scam compounds. HRC focuses on using local consultants and talent to gain insight into the root causes of human trafficking, Valentina explains. By leveraging local expertise, HRC ensures a nuanced understanding of the cultural and social dynamics contributing to trafficking. Survivor voices play a central role in HRC's work. They collaborate closely with survivor organizations to provide support and empowerment. Salam, as a survivor empowerment officer, is actively involved in counseling, advocacy, and consultancy to empower other survivors.
Resources
Valentina Casulli on LinkedIn
Abdus Salam on LinkedIn
Humanity Research Consultancy -
Human trafficking and exploitation are dark undercurrents flowing beneath our modern society, often hidden from view but with implications touching every industry and community. In this episode of the Hidden Traffic Podcast, Gwen Hassan sits down with Ian Mitchell, founder of The Knoble. Ian sheds light on the pivotal role banks play in leading the global fight against child sexual exploitation and related crimes. Together, he and Gwen explore the involvement of various sectors and the ways businesses and individuals can contribute to curbing these heinous acts.
Ian founded the nonprofit organization, The Knoble, when he recognized a potential overlap between his expertise in identifying fraudulent financial patterns and the fight against human trafficking. The Knoble aims to create a coalition across the financial industry to recognize and address "human crimes." This term reflects The Knoble's holistic approach to understanding and combating different types of exploitation by placing the human experience at the center of their mission. Their mission encompasses fighting various forms of human exploitation, including human trafficking, modern slavery, child exploitation, scams, and elder exploitation.
The vast majority of human crimes, including child sexual exploitation and human trafficking, are financially motivated. Ian emphasizes the importance of uniting the financial services industry in the fight against human crimes. The idea is to harness the resources, expertise, and techniques traditionally used to combat financial fraud for the broader purpose of tackling various forms of exploitation. Financial institutions play a significant role in combating these crimes due to their robust programs against fraud and money laundering. Ian highlights the consistency in banking ecosystems across more than 14 countries. The similarities in transactional processes across these countries offer an advantage in setting up countermeasures against human trafficking and related crimes.
The fight against human trafficking isn't just reliant on institutions, but also on individuals. Corporations support through various project initiatives related to their business interests, while individuals are trained to identify and act against potential trafficking situations. Moreover, corporations play a pivotal role in addressing human crimes through corporate social responsibility.
Mission Omega, co-founded by Ian, donates a portion of its revenue to The Knoble. This company's objective includes training and employing survivors of human trafficking in fraud detection roles. The idea stemmed from understanding that many survivors couldn't secure good jobs, leading to a high recidivism rate. By training them and offering them respectable jobs, they can not only deter them from returning to trafficking but also provide them with a new lease on life.
Resources
Ian Mitchell on the Web | LinkedIn | The Knoble
Email: [email protected] -
The global landscape of human trafficking and forced labor is evolving, and no country is immune. In this episode of Hidden Traffic, Gwen Hassan sits down with Sean Stephenson, an accomplished attorney based in Toronto. Sean works for the multinational law firm Dentons and has extensive experience in trade and investment. The growing concern for supply chain integrity forms a significant part of his work, with particular emphasis on human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor. Together, he and Gwen delve into the new Canadian law aimed at preventing human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor within supply chains. Their conversation also provides insights into the practices of various multinational companies and explores the need for coherence in the anti-slavery reporting and measures across different jurisdictions.
The new Canadian legislation is known as the Modern Slavery Act, but is officially titled "Fighting Against Forced Labor and Child Labor in Supply Chains Act." This law is set to come into effect on January 1, 2024. Sean underscores the legislation's scope, noting that it will apply to a wide range of entities and industries that produce, sell, or distribute goods in or import goods into Canada. Sean clarifies, "The legislation is roughly based on another piece of legislation we have in Canada that was adopted a few years ago called the Extractive Sector Transparency Act, that's focused specifically on the extractive sector, …But it's much broader in nature. It's not specific to the extractive sector. It applies to essentially any business formation."
Despite the legislation's primarily reporting nature, Sean distinguishes it from an actual diligence standard. He emphasizes the need for convergence in anti-slavery laws globally, which calls for a balance between compliance and alignment in disclosure across jurisdictions. However, he points out some unique features of the Canadian Act, such as its focus on child labor and specific liabilities for companies and directors for false and misleading statements.
Both Gwen and Sean believe in the Act’s potential to drive meaningful change in business practices related to human trafficking, forced labor, and child labor.
Sean sheds light on the operations and mandate of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE). CORE is an arm of the Canadian federal government, focusing on promoting the implementation of the UN and the OECD guidelines on multinational enterprises. The organization targets three specific areas: garment business, mining, and oil and gas. "Anyone can submit complaints to the CORE about business activities of Canadian businesses, either inside Canada or abroad", Sean explains. He distinguishes CORE's investigative powers, which are funded by the Canadian government, from those of a non-governmental organization. Gwen likens its investigative powers to those of a regulatory authority.
Sean points out that CORE cannot force document production but can accept and facilitate discussions around complaints. While CORE can't directly impose penalties, they can recommend fines and referrals to law enforcement. Gwen highlights the potential reputational damage these investigations can pose for companies, and they both agree on the importance of proactive measures in mitigating these risks.
Resources
Sean Stephenson on LinkedIn | Twitter
Dentons
Canada’s Forced Labour and Child Labour Reporting Legislation: What You Need to Know
The CORE of the matter: An overview of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) and its relevance to Canadian businesses operating abroad -
It’s an indictment of this modern era that exploitation remains alarmingly prevalent. Indeed, the journey towards human trafficking and forced labor prevention is laden with complexities. In this episode of Hidden Traffic, host Gwen Hassan discusses current events and valuable resources to propel the fight against human trafficking. She emphasizes the interplay between corporate compliance, survivor advocacy, and global cooperation in the quest to eradicate human trafficking and forced labor from global supply chains.
Follow Money Fight Slavery is a not-for-profit consortium specializing in human trafficking prevention. During their third annual summit, the group unveiled valuable materials, including survivor-led sessions and a keynote address by a survivor turned advocate. These first-hand narratives are key in combating trafficking, Gwen points out..
Unseen UK has launched a petition to urge the UK government to fill the vacant Independent Antislavery Commissioner role. Gwen is concerned about the year-long vacancy in this crucial role, and urges listeners to sign the petition. Strong leadership is crucial in the prevention of human trafficking.
The Mekong Club is an organization that has partnered with CNN to raise awareness about human trafficking among students worldwide. This effort is encapsulated in the 'Sweatshop Challenge', an immersive educational experience providing students with a simulated understanding of forced labor conditions. Gwen lauds this creative approach: "Could you do a similar type of sweatshop challenge for your supply chain workers? For people that are out there in your corporate purchasing departments who are buying from foreign suppliers so they have a real personal understanding of what human trafficking does and how injurious it is…?"
The recently published white paper by the Mekong Club about modern slavery risks in shipping takes a deep dive into the often-overlooked logistics portion of supply chains, highlighting its susceptibility to human trafficking.
Gwen elaborates on a recent US congressional hearing on the implementation of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and its implications on the US supply chain. It hints towards an expansion of the act, potentially encompassing electric vehicle components and eliminating the inspection exemption for shipments worth less than $800. She warns listeners, "If your supply chain touches electric vehicle production or for that matter, batteries or battery production, this could be an early warning signal that there may be additional enforcement focus coming for your supply chain."
Resources:
Follow Money Fight Slavery
Unseen UK
The Mekong Club | Modern Slavery in Shipping Supply Chains -
It's an inconvenient truth that human trafficking and forced labor are more prevalent in global supply chains than we'd like to admit. In this episode of Hidden Traffic Podcast, host Gwen Hassan talks to Jackson Wood, an expert in global trade intelligence at Descartes, about building transparent and trust-based supply chains. With a background in law and experience in global trade compliance and risk management, Jackson shares valuable insights into the intricacies of global trade, the role of technology, and the importance of compliance and risk management in tackling these complex issues.
Descartes recently published a white paper on human trafficking and forced labor in the global supply chain. Previously, Jackson says, due diligence was a matter of simply screening your third parties against a list of sanctioned entities. "The due diligence burden now falls on you as a compliance professional and by extension, your organization, to do everything you can to determine whether forced labor is involved in the production of these particular products," Jackson states. Companies must rely on their own ingenuity and skills, as well as partnerships with specialized organizations like Descartes, to address these risks.
There is great potential for technology to enable companies to efficiently assess and mitigate forced labor risks in their supply chains.
Jackson and Gwen discuss the increasing importance of trade compliance in addressing forced labor and human rights issues within global supply chains. With the introduction of the German Supply Chain Act and the proposed European Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, companies are required to conduct broad human rights due diligence throughout their supply chains. Trade compliance offers a natural starting point for companies to address these issues, as it provides a framework for understanding and implementing the necessary measures. Compliance teams possess strong research and analytic skills, as well as experience in managing stakeholders and navigating government regulations, making them well-suited for tackling human rights issues.
There has also been a growing focus on ESG and corporate social responsibility. In recent years, trade compliance teams have gained more attention from executive leadership, particularly during the Russia-Ukraine conflict when these teams were instrumental in protecting organizations from risk exposure. As such, trade compliance professionals are increasingly being tasked with forced labor due diligence and broader supply chain mapping projects. As companies look to build more sustainable and transparent supply chains, the role of trade compliance will continue to expand.
It’s important to create trust-based supply chains that prioritize not only cost and speed but also social and environmental impact. Jackson and Gwen encourage companies to start asking questions and having conversations with their partners about human trafficking and forced labor. By fostering greater transparency and collaboration within supply chains, companies can work towards creating a more sustainable future and addressing pressing global challenges such as forced labor and human rights abuses.
Resources:
Jackson Wood via Email
Descartes.com | VisualCompliance.com -
Human trafficking is a choice made by those in power to commodify and take away the choices of others, but protection for victims and vulnerable communities is possible. This is the core message of Andrey Sawchenko, Regional Vice President of Forced Labor Programs, Asia Pacific for International Justice Mission (IJM). On this episode of Hidden Traffic Podcast, Andrey talks with host Gwen Hassan about his passion for creating a better reality for exploited and marginalized individuals and how he found an outlet to achieve this goal through his work with International Justice Mission. The organization focuses on preventing human trafficking, including forced labor, by working with governments to enact and especially implement laws that work for rights holders and survivors. Andrey and Gwen discuss how businesses can help rid their supply chains of forced labor and join the fight against modern slavery.
Consistent enforcement of anti-forced labor laws is crucial in combating human trafficking. This can drive down rates of labor trafficking across sectors and supply chains. This approach is effective because it introduces a real threat of punishment or penalties and focuses on places where trafficking crimes occur at the greatest scale. Empowering survivors and building systems capacity through training and strengthening policy are also crucial. Survivors of human trafficking need a safe and enabling environment to support and rebuild their lives.
Andrey suggests four actions that corporations could do to help end modern slavery. First, start from the perspective of workers when understanding the issue and when assessing the risk in corporations’ supply chains. This involves mapping out their supply chains and identifying the areas where the risk of forced labor is high. Businesses can advocate with the government in the high-risk areas of their supply chain to enforce worker protection laws. Second, support organizations like International Justice Mission who are working with and advocating for the most vulnerable workers to help amplify their voice and supporting the work of lawyers, investigators, and social workers to provide trauma-informed care for victims of forced labor, seek justice and recover from their experiences. Third, enable accessibility of communication channels for workers to raise their voice and report safely when they are mistreated. These may include internal, third-party, and government channels. Fourth and equally important, establish a code of conduct that define and align with human rights standards. This means setting clear and ethical standards for labor practices and aligning purchasing decisions with these standards.
Andrey points out that International Justice Mission has partnered with Walmart.org, Target, Westpac, Meta, Seafood Task Force, and Responsible Business Alliance’s Responsible Labor Initiative, among others. Listen to this episode to learn more.
Resources
Andrey Sawchenko on LinkedIn
International Justice Mission
Walmart.org
The Seafood Task Force
Responsible Business Alliance Responsible Labor Initiative
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In this episode of Hidden Traffic, Gwen Hassan updates listeners on news and resources related to human trafficking. Here are some of the topics she covers:
Congratulations to Source Map for being named to Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies list for their work in clean supply chain and mapping.
Mekong Club’s recent publication of ‘Eight Tips for Brands to Prepare for Germany's New Due Diligence Act’. Gwen encourages companies doing business in Germany to read the tips, which provide practical steps for compliance.
Recent changes to the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery (GFEMS), including their new toolkit, which was developed in partnership with the National Survivor Network. The toolkit “provides practical tools for organizations to become more inclusive of human trafficking and modern slavery survivors in their approaches,” Gwen remarks.
A recent New York Times article entitled ‘Alone and Exploited’ highlights the prevalence of child labor in the US. The article discusses cases of child workers as young as 12 years old working in subcontractors of major companies such as Walmart and Target.
Gwen discusses a new law in Arkansas that makes it easier for employers to employ children. She expresses concern about the potential for this law to exacerbate the problem of child labor and human trafficking in the US. She urges listeners to be aware of the issue and to support efforts to combat it.
“Bottom line,” Gwen points out, “is the prevalence of modern slavery and human trafficking within the United States continues to be even more serious and large than we believed originally…”
Resources:
Source Map
Fast Company - Most Innovative Companies
Mekong Club - Eight Tips for Brands to Prepare for Germany's New Due Diligence Act
Global Fund to End Modern Slavery
National Survivor Network
Meaningful Engagement of People With Lived Experience toolkit
New York Times - Alone and Exploited -
In this episode of Hidden Traffic Podcast, Gwen Hassan interviews Kit Conklin, Vice President at Kharon, and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. Kharon is a company that provides research and data analytics on global security threats, sanctions, and other financial risks. Kit and Gwen discuss the role of data analytics in addressing forced labor issues. They emphasize that traditional methods of identifying forced labor, such as audits and inspections, have limitations and may not be effective in detecting all instances of forced labor. In contrast, data analytics can help companies to identify patterns and indicators of forced labor, such as unusual labor practices and supplier relationships.
Data analytics can help companies to better manage risks related to forced labor. By analyzing data on suppliers, transactions, and other relevant factors, companies can identify high-risk areas and take preventive measures. The use of predictive analytics can also help companies to anticipate and prevent instances of forced labor before they occur. Collaboration between companies, governments, and other stakeholders is crucial in addressing forced labor issues. Data sharing and cooperation can help to identify and address systemic issues related to forced labor. Additionally, regulatory frameworks and industry standards can provide guidance and incentives for companies to address forced labor risks.
Kit highlights the challenges of implementing effective data analytics programs. Companies may face technical, organizational, and cultural barriers in adopting data analytics tools and integrating data from multiple sources. Ensuring data privacy and security is also crucial to build trust and confidence in data analytics programs. Overall, data analytics can be a powerful tool for promoting sustainability and ethical business practices. By using data analytics to identify and address forced labor risks, companies can contribute to a more responsible and sustainable global supply chain. Additionally, data analytics can help to track progress and measure the impact of efforts to address forced labor, providing a basis for continuous improvement.
Resources
Kit Conklin on LinkedIn | Email | Atlantic Council
Kharon -
Kristen Abrams is the Director of the Human Trafficking Initiative at the McCain Institute for International Leadership at Arizona State University. She is an experienced prosecutor who has worked to combat human trafficking both in the United States and internationally. At the McCain Institute, Kristen leads efforts to prevent human trafficking by partnering with organizations, governments, and individuals to develop innovative and effective strategies. She is a sought-after speaker and has appeared on numerous panels and podcasts to discuss this important issue.
In this episode, host Gwen Hassan and Kristen talk about the four key areas that need to be addressed to combat human trafficking effectively: legislative and policy frameworks, law enforcement and prosecution, engagement with the private sector, and survivor leadership. Kristen provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within each area, drawing from her experience working with government agencies, NGOs, and prosecutors from around the world. All four areas need to work together in a coordinated effort to tackle the complex issue of human trafficking.
Kristen discusses the current state of human trafficking, noting that despite increased efforts to combat it, the number of investigations, prosecutions, and convictions has decreased. She suggests that the best way to fight human trafficking is through a multifaceted approach involving four "legs" of prevention: enforcement, policy and legislation, private sector engagement, and survivor leadership.
The first leg of prevention is enforcement, which involves specialized human trafficking prosecutors working in criminal justice systems around the world to prosecute offenders. The Global Prosecutors Consortium is a group of prosecutors from 18 different countries who met recently to discuss the challenges they face and to build a network of specialized prosecutors who can learn from each other and share best practices. Kristen stresses that it is important to keep the individual victim at the center of the work.
The second leg of prevention is policy and legislation, which involves enacting laws to prevent human trafficking and to punish those who engage in it. Kristen cites the Uighur Forced Labor Act and proposed legislation in Europe that would prevent goods produced with forced labor from entering major economies as examples of promising efforts.
The third leg of prevention is private sector engagement, which involves engaging companies and institutional investors to assess their supply chains and ensure that their products are not produced with forced labor. Kristen notes that consumer demand and regulatory and investor pressure are key drivers of this engagement.
Finally, the fourth leg of prevention is survivor leadership, which involves empowering survivors of human trafficking to lead the fight against it. Kristen remarks that survivor leadership is often overlooked and that it is important to include survivors in all aspects of prevention efforts.
Overall, a multifaceted approach to preventing human trafficking is necessary, which Kristen likens to a table with four legs rather than a stool with two legs. Each leg of the table is necessary to support the other legs, and without all four legs, the table cannot stand. By involving specialized prosecutors, enacting legislation, engaging the private sector, and empowering survivors, it is possible to make progress in the fight against human trafficking.
Resources
Kristen Abrams on LinkedIn | Twitter | Email
McCain Institute For International Leadership -
In this solo episode of Hidden Traffic Podcast, host Gwen Hassan dives into the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) adopted by the European Council, which replaces the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD). The CSRD requires companies, both public and private, to report on a wide range of sustainability-related topics, including human rights, anti-corruption, modern slavery and human trafficking prevention, and environmental protection. Gwen will explain the impact of this directive on businesses and provide valuable insights into what companies can do to meet its requirements.
The CSRD directive aims to increase disclosure requirements for companies and prevent greenwashing. It will also require subsidiary level reporting and auditable information about supply chain, due diligence and human trafficking prevention. The CSRD applies to a larger number of public and private companies and will increase cost. Companies should start preparing as soon as possible to meet the requirements.
The CSRD requires companies to report on a wide range of sustainability-related topics - including human rights, anti-corruption, modern slavery and human trafficking prevention, and environmental protection - and provide information about their strategy, targets, governance policies, incentives and risks. The European Commission will adopt standards for reporting under the CSRD by June of next year. The directive will become effective on January 1, 2026, with a 2028 opt-out date for small and micro entities. Large entities and their parents will have to comply immediately.
The recent development of the Forced Labor Protection Act in Africa highlights the issue of outsourcing services to low-cost countries and the potential liability companies can face for labor violations and human trafficking in their supply chain. A former content moderator in Kenya filed a lawsuit against both the outsourcing company he worked for and Meta, a social media giant, alleging that he was subjected to viewing graphic and violent material that caused him post-traumatic stress disorder. The court ruled that the case against Meta can move forward, highlighting the need for companies to take responsibility for practices in their supply chain, even if they were not aware of them. This could result in a strict liability standard for many types of companies.
Resources
Gwen Hassan on LinkedIn -
Gwen Hassan welcomes Ben Fouracre, Managing Director and Global Investigations Lead for Asia Pacific and Japan at J.S. Held LLC. Ben has spent 16 years in Japan working with non-Japanese, non-Asian companies to help them develop and execute their compliance strategy. He is an expert in risk, supply chain, labor and environmental issues, as well as anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-money laundering, with a focus on human trafficking.
The biggest focus in Asia has been foreign regulation, such as the FCPA. Many Japanese companies have fallen afoul of these regulations, which has led to the development of compliance departments and training. Companies in the region are now also increasingly focusing on sustainability and the social side of ESG. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been pushing for companies to have their own ESG strategy, goals and internal evaluation, and to focus on human rights and foreign policy.
The Japanese government conducted a survey that revealed one in five companies in Japan don't have guidelines or safeguards related to human rights protection in their supply chains. However, there are some good examples of Japanese companies that are ahead of the curve. The Japanese government issued human rights due diligence guidelines, but there is still a need for proactive measures to be taken to ensure companies are doing what they say. Although there is no definitive timeline or law in Japan, companies are responding to pressure from stakeholders such as investors, shareholders, customers, and employees to work towards sustainability.
Ben believes that companies must be seen as contributors, not profiteers off environmental and social harm. As such, policies and procedures must be implemented and evolve with the business. In particular, companies need to take a proactive approach to supplier risk profiling. This includes understanding the size, operations, and history of the supplier, their relationship with the company, and any potential risks the company may face from stakeholders when it comes to human rights issues such as child labor and forced labor.
NGOs have been actively raising awareness of issues related to sustainability and social responsibility, Ben points out. To ensure transparency and ethical and socially viable practices, companies should strive to engage in dialogue with NGOs. This allows them to better understand the issues and look for solutions.
Resources
Ben Fouracre on LinkedIn | Email
J.S. Held LLC -
Shawn Askinosie is an author and the founder and CEO of Askinosie Chocolate. His book, Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul, takes readers on his journey to self-actualization and is a guide to how they can discover the secret to purposeful business. He was also named by Oprah Magazine as one of 15 Guys Who Are Saving the World, and by Forbes as one of the 25 Best Small Companies in America. Shawn joins Gwen Hassan to share how children are exploited in the cocoa beans industry and how Askinosie Chocolate mitigates their supply chain risks.
Compliance professionals are often overextended and not taken care of. A compliance officer's role should not be viewed as solely to ensure compliance within a company, but also to coach and advise. The work of CSR and ESG departments should be diffused throughout the entire organization. It’s particularly important that these departments are led by lawyers, as they are in a unique position to advocate for change in a way that is credible.
Askinosie Chocolate is a company that sources its cocoa beans directly from farmers, rather than through brokers like most other chocolate companies. They also pay farmers 55% more than the farmgate price and provide advanced payments to help finance the farmers' harvesting operations. This approach is called "direct trade" and is meant to create a more direct alignment between the chocolate maker and the farmer. This model also helps to mitigate issues like conflict minerals and child trafficking in the supply chain, which can occur when beans are shipped through multiple middlemen, and their origins are not transparent.
Resources
Shawn Askinosie on the Web | LinkedIn | Twitter
Askinosie.com
Meaningful Work: A Quest to Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul -
Hidden Traffic Podcast host Gwen Hassan reviews the year's developments in human trafficking prevention and shares what's next on the podcast.
This year has seen a rise in human trafficking and climate change refugees. The United Nations International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that there are 50 million people across the world who are currently being held in some form of modern slavery. Notable news stories around human trafficking include the Uyghur Forced Labor Protection Act coming into play and allegations against Tesla for sourcing their cobalt from child labor.
A major issue in the corporate world coined the ‘Green Push,’ is the neglect of the ‘S’ in ESG. You can't make the world better environmentally by reducing carbon output and addressing climate change issues while also enslaving children, Gwen remarks.
Resources
Gwen Hassan on LinkedIn -
Noel Thomas is CEO of Zero Trafficking, a data company bringing innovative data, analysis, and training solutions to the frontlines of anti-trafficking. He joins host Gwen Hassan to discuss how Zero Trafficking is using technology in the fight against human trafficking.
Prior to founding his company, Noel toured the world as the bass guitarist of a rock band. It was during one of these tours in 2007 that he first got exposed to the issue of human trafficking through a flyer aiming to raise awareness. It inspired him to learn more about human trafficking and join the efforts to eradicate it.
Rather than manually looking for human trafficking online, Noel and the task forces he worked with thought of a better way to bring technology into the space. They quickly realized that corporations like social media platforms, banks, and even real estate developers could also benefit from this data; they could use it to up their compliance and mitigate the risks involved with human trafficking.
Resources
Noel Thomas on LinkedIn
Zero Trafficking -
Kody Kumfer is Associate Executive Director of Forgotten Children Worldwide. Forgotten Children is an organization dedicated to helping children in vulnerable situations across the world. Kody joins host Gwen Hassan to discuss how Forgotten Children is funding education and working with indigenous leaders to create positive change.
Forgotten Children partners with native leaders, most often religious and business leaders, who are passionate about orphan care. They have built homes and farming operations in various countries to support vulnerable children. The organization is focused on preventing children from falling prey to human trafficking, as well as improving their conditions.
Currently, Forgotten Children is working in India to bring young girls out of the Devadasi system, which is a practice that, in modern times, pushes them into prostitution. It’s a hereditary role that is often passed on from grandmother, to mother, to daughter.
Resources
Kody Kumfer on LinkedIn
Forgotten Children -
Aditi Wanchoo is Senior Manager of Human Rights at Novartis, based in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis is a leading global medicines company using innovative science and digital technologies to create transformative treatments in areas of great medical need. Aditi joins host Gwen Hassan to discuss Germany’s recent Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (SCDDA) and how it’s going to help with human trafficking prevention.
In order to tackle any change, whether it’s better labor and human rights protection for supply chain workers or addressing human trafficking, there needs to be an ecosystem response. Governments, businesses, and civil society must consistently work together to address and overcome these challenges. Having had the opportunity to work with three multinational companies in diverse sectors, Aditi believes companies can be and are a force for good to bring about social and environmental change.
Though human trafficking prevention, in particular, has improved in the last few decades, there is still much left to be done. Germany’s Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (SCDDA), which was passed in 2021 and will enter into force on January 1st, 2023, is an important step forward in this regard. The act’s core expectation is to develop a corporate risk management system to identify and address human rights and environmental risks. Companies that fail to do this will be subject to substantial administrative fines.
Resources
Aditi Wanchoo on LinkedIn -
How do you create a system where you are continuously and effectively listening to your key stakeholders in an inclusive manner? Vera Belazelkoska is Director of Programs at Ulula, a social enterprise startup that provides organizations with digital tools and expertise to monitor the human rights impacts in their global supply chains. She joins host Gwen Hassan to discuss how Ulula is helping companies amplify the voices of people who don’t always get to talk to the social auditors.
Ulula designs technology solutions to help companies do better in many areas. They are dedicated to building, configuring, and successfully implementing different innovative tools to help organizations monitor human rights issues, labor rights impacts, and community rights in global supply chains. Supply chain transparency is part of it, but they also focus on the accountability aspects.
Corporations are being held to increasingly high standards across different jurisdictions to ensure that they do everything in their power to identify human rights violations they may be complicit in along their supply chain, and then remediate them.
Resources
Vera Belazelkoska on LinkedIn
Ulula -
Rebekah Enoch is Program Director at Human Trafficking Search, an organization aiming to raise awareness and contribute to preventing and eliminating human trafficking worldwide. She joins host Gwen Hassan to share how Human Trafficking Search is fighting human trafficking through education.
Human Trafficking Search is an electronic clearinghouse of information about the many faces of human trafficking, including sex trafficking, labor trafficking, child labor, and labor exploitation. “We really try to encompass every level of that conversation so that if you are someone who works in the field or an aspect of the field, you can find materials for any research you're doing to inform what you're working on,” Rebekah explains. Even laymen who just want to be informed can access easily digestible information from their website.
They also conduct their own investigations, she adds. Recently, HTS published a report about how the green revolution in the Democratic Republic of Congo may be linked to cobalt mining. While this may not sound like a problem initially, cobalt mining in the DRC is driven by a host of issues around child labor and labor exploitation.
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