This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Many of Australia's largest companies fail to show enough public evidence that workers affected by modern slavery can safely report concerns, a new Monash University–led report has found. The report, Grievance Mechanisms and Remediation, assessed the FY2024 modern slavery statements of the 39 largest ASX100 financials and materials companies.
The report found that companies had major gaps in disclosing information about grievance mechanisms and remediation. Grievance mechanisms are a way for workers, communities and other stakeholders to report actual or suspected harms, unsafe or unfair working conditions, exploitation or other rights violations, while remediation involves actions to correct and redress the harm suffered and prevent its recurrence. The findings come as the federal government consulted on strengthening Australia's modern slavery laws, including a proposed criminal offense for companies that fail to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains.
Lead author Nga Pham, an associate professor at the Monash Centre for Financial Studies at Monash Business School, said that without safe, accessible grievance channels and effective remediation processes, workers are at risk because they may be unable to report exploitation, causing harms to remain hidden. "Workers, especially migrant, temporary and low-skilled workers, are vulnerable due to limited knowledge of their rights, language barriers and fear of retaliation," Pham said. The report introduces a new 40-question 8R Framework to assess how transparently companies disclose information about the design and operation of modern slavery grievance mechanisms and whether their remediation processes are effective.
On average, companies addressed 14.28 of the 40 questions in the 8R Framework—about 36%. Only five companies addressed at least half of the questions, while nine addressed fewer than 10. Pham said the findings raised questions about whether companies' complaint systems actually worked.
"A grievance mechanism should be more than a hotline or a policy on paper. It must be safe and trusted by workers, warn companies early of harm and provide a pathway to remedy," Pham said. "Our findings suggest that companies are much more comfortable reporting on their policies, committees and complaint channels than explaining what happens after a concern is raised." Under the federal government's proposed modern slavery reforms, demonstrating that reasonable steps were taken to prevent modern slavery could become critical to a company's defense.
Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. d research that matter—daily or weekly. Pham said the 8R Framework could act as an assessment and improvement tool to help companies identify gaps in their grievance and remediation reporting. "The 8R Framework could support government and regulators in developing clearer guidance about the systems, processes and evidence relevant to reasonable steps," Pham said.
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