How social enterprises are combatting modern slavery
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Version 0 of 1. It is estimated that nearly 30 million people around the world are trapped in modern slavery while many others have survived human trafficking or are in situations of risk. Social enterprises could offer a sustainable solution to the problem of economic vulnerability that ensnares people in modern slavery. The UK's modern slavery bill, that will tighten laws on human trafficking, was published at the end of last year and will be introduced before the current session of parliament ends next spring. The draft bill briefly mentions that the government will work with businesses to "ensure their workforce and supply chains are not exploited", but does not explain how. In fact there is little mention of the role businesses or charities can play in countering the issue in the whole 62-page document. One criticism of the bill has been that it will fail to provide adequate protection to trafficking survivors. According to a policy director at Focus on Labour Exploitation, the bill's "narrow focus on prosecution also excludes prevention measures required to root out exploitation in high-risk labour sectors". "Unless we address the root causes of trafficking, rather than just the symptoms of it, anti-slavery efforts will never win," explains David Batstone, president and co-founder of Not For Sale, a charitable organisation which acts as an incubator for business ideas designed to empower vulnerable communities. "For example, 95% of individuals that [we support] were unemployed when they were trafficked. No matter how many laws we change, or how many services we provide, these approaches alone cannot eliminate the vulnerability gap." The main root cause is recognised as economic vulnerability. Not For Sale understand the need for social enterprises to be part of the solution and the need to fight the criminal business of modern slavery with business itself. Social enterprises can act as a form of rehabilitation for survivors in high-trafficked communities, through the creation of mass-market job and product opportunities, and through a combination of education, skills training and support. By providing economic and social stability, social enterprises can also stem the possible displacement of populations. "By engaging social entrepreneurs in the fight against modern slavery, we harness the market to create and scale true change … for those most vulnerable to exploitation," says Batstone. One example of a product that Not For Sale has helped bring to market is REBBL, a herbal tonic drink whose ingredients are sourced from indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon. The drink is sold throughout California and REBBL donate a portion of its revenue to Not For Sale, who reinvest it in the indigenous communities' economic and social infrastructures. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of those at risk being lured into slavery with false promises of employment. Products like REBBL not only provide sustainable solutions to slavery, but bring transparency to global supply chains by bringing at-risk communities closer to consumers in the US market. While the majority of ethically-sourced products tap into the demands of conscious-minded consumers REBBL is more concerned with closing the loophole to ensure those at risk of exploitation don't fall through the net and prevent survivors from being re-trafficked. Products like REBBL not only provide sustainable solutions to slavery, but bring transparency to global supply chains by bringing at-risk communities closer to consumers in the US market. While the majority of ethically-sourced products tap into the demands of conscious-minded consumers, REBBL is more concerned with closing the loophole to ensure those at risk of exploitation don't fall through the net and prevent survivors from being re-trafficked. Young women and girls are the group most at risk of being trafficked or re-trafficked, particularly into the sex trade. The Somaly Mam Foundation has recently opened a social enterprise-beauty salon in Cambodia to address the issue. The salon in Siem Reap, launched in partnership with Estée Lauder and AFESIP Cambodia (Agir Pour les Femmes en Situation Précaire, French for "acting for women in distressing situations"), provides survivors with both education and vocational training. Young women have the opportunity to earn a nominal salary while acquiring customer service skills and learning how the business operates. They will also be helped to secure micro-loans to build their own businesses. "This project can help to empower survivors with a choice in their lives," explains executive director Gina Reiss-Wilchins. "It offers them a chance to become self-sufficient and empowered agents of change in Cambodia's rapidly growing economy – helping to create a society that says 'no more' to slavery and the oppression of women and girls." Reiss-Wilchins adds: "We definitely see this as a model that can be picked up by other corporations as well, particularly in areas like manufacturing and hospitality." Through providing services to survivors in the short-term, social enterprises can leverage sustainable and effective solutions to curb the growth of the slavery industry in the long run. Start-ups, social enterprises and business ideas can aid survivors on the path to socio-economic independence. <em>Do you have a social enterprise blogpost, story or resource you'd like to share with the network? 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