Addressing Modern Slavery Together

Catholic organisations participating in the Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) must comply with Australia's Modern Slavery Act (MSA) 2018. This means actions must be taken to assess and address modern slavery risks to people in the supply chains and operations of Catholic entities. These actions must be published annually on the Commonwealth Government’s Modern Slavery Register as a Modern Slavery Statement.

Supply chains are complex, multi-tiered and may traverse multiple countries involving many people in the sourcing of raw materials, manufacturing, assembly, finishing and transport.

Temporary visa holders, migrants, refugees new arrivals, minorities, people who are stateless or not authorised to work are more vulnerable to abuse and therefore an at-risk work force especially in labour-hire.

Actions to comply with the MSA must be implemented in collaboration with suppliers. Suppliers should expect ongoing engagement over time from ACAN entities in relation to modern slavery especially in the following sectors:

1)    Building and construction;

2)    Medical consumables, devices and equipment

3)    Information and communications technology (ICT)

4) Facility management and property services

5) Cleaning and security services

6) Furniture and office supplies

7) Food and catering services

8) Uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE)

9) Waste management services

10) Linen, laundry and textiles