Women in the sewing division of a factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital. Clothing and footwear made in Cambodia is sold in Australia. Samer Muscati/Human Rights Watch. All rights reserved.
In mid-August Australia’s justice minister proposed a new law requiring the country’s biggest companies to report on their practices and policies to prevent forced labour in their operations and supply chains. The government wants to ensure that consumer products like food, electronics, and clothing – whether they’re made abroad or domestically – are not produced by people forced to work against their will. It is a laudable goal, but the steps they’ve taken are inadequate.
Without meaningful due diligence requirements or penalties for noncompliance, the law is little more than a suggestion for voluntary action.
