Anti-Slavery Day: Wilberforce Institute in Hull launches training to help businesses eradicate exploitation

Street performers at the Freedom Festival in Hull, was originally established as part of the 2007 William Wilberforce commemorations, celebrating the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade. Picture: Lorne Campbell/Guzelian Street

A new programme to help businesses tackle labour exploitation has been launched today by the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute.

The training, which helps organisations identify and eliminate slavery practices that may be lying hidden in their business operations, has been introduced today to also mark Anti-Slavery Day.

Anti-Slavery Day is held in recognition of the need to eradicate all forms of slavery, human trafficking and exploitation.

Cristina Talens, director of modern slavery risk assessments at the University of Hull’s Wilberforce Institute, said: “It’s shocking to think that many of us are unwittingly coming into contact with slavery on a daily basis.

“The areas of our lives tainted by practices such as forced labour, labour exploitation and human trafficking are many and include the hospitality, domestic, beauty and construction industries to name a few.

“Forced labour is prevalent within the private economy; lying hidden within the complex supply chains that produce many of our household goods and services.”

The new training will help businesses to identify and eliminate slavery in supply chains and meet their legal obligations in relation to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.