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Government’s Commitment to Combat Forced Labour in Supply Chains

Ministers are pledging to intensify their efforts against forced labour within supply chains to appease members of parliament after they were asked to eliminate certain legal protections from the Great British Energy bill.

Labour MPs were instructed to vote on Tuesday night to remove an amendment aimed at ensuring that companies implicated in forced labour do not hinder the UK’s transition to sustainable energy.

The House of Commons voted 314 to 198 against the amendment proposed in the House of Lords. This amendment sought to prevent state-owned GB Energy from using public funds to purchase solar panels and other materials tied to credible claims of modern slavery within their supply chains.

Although no Labour MPs went against their party line in the vote to discard the Lords amendment, around 92 chose to abstain, with several likely having received permission to be absent. Notable abstentions based on principle included Marie Rimmer and Rachael Maskell.

China continues to play a significant role in the solar energy market, producing between 35% and 40% of polysilicon, the essential raw material for solar panels. Much of this production occurs in Xinjiang, where the Uyghur Muslim population has reportedly faced arbitrary detention and forced labour practices.

Michael Shanks, the Energy Security Minister, stated that the government is committed to enhancing its initiatives against forced labour. This includes holding cross-departmental meetings with the business, Foreign, and Home Offices.

Shanks announced that a senior leader will be appointed within GB Energy to oversee ethical supply chains, particularly focusing on the issue of modern slavery. He emphasized that addressing forced labour would become a strategic priority for the company.

Government representatives contended that the GB Energy bill is not the appropriate avenue for implementing these changes, arguing that tackling modern slavery is a multifaceted issue that requires an all-encompassing governmental response across various economic sectors.

During a session in the Commons, Shanks remarked that the issue spans the entire economy rather than being limited to individual companies. He mentioned that the existing Procurement Act already provides mechanisms for GB Energy to reject bids and cancel contracts linked to forced labour.

However, critics such as former Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith highlighted the limitations of the Procurement Act, noting that it applies only in cases where a company has been convicted of modern slavery in the UK or has faced similar actions in other countries, a scenario unlikely to occur with Chinese companies.

A number of Labour MPs have called for more rigorous measures to be put in place. Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, stated that “the public deserves assurance that their funds are not being used to support human rights violations.”

Rimmer, representing St Helens South and Whiston, expressed dismay at the inadequacy of both the Modern Slavery Act and the Procurement Act. Maskell, MP for York Central, suggested that the burden of proof should shift to companies, making them responsible for proving their lack of association with forced labour.

Helena Kennedy, a Labour peer who originally sponsored the Lords amendment, urged a reassessment of the government’s stance. She articulated her belief in maintaining diplomatic relations concerning trade and climate change but underscored that purchasing solar panels linked to forced labour is unacceptable.

She stated, “If China claims these allegations are false, let them invite observers to their factories. Our historical commitment as a party has centered on protecting workers from exploitation, and I firmly believe our moral stance should guide our actions.”

David Alton, a cross-bench peer and the architect of the amendment, indicated his intention to reinstate it once the GB Energy bill is reviewed by the Lords. He remarked on the reluctance shown by both the previous and current governments to advance this issue, despite the clear moral necessity for a green transition free from slavery.

“Current regulations are ineffective,” he noted. “The Procurement Act only permits barring companies if a conviction has occurred in either the UK or China. It’s unrealistic to expect Beijing to prosecute companies involved in its own labor transfer operations. This issue necessitates robust legislative measures.”

Source
www.theguardian.com