Modern Slavery: The UK Response
Industrial Law Journal, Vol. 39, No. 4, 2010
7 Pages Posted: 1 Sep 2010
Date Written: May 30, 2010
Abstract
This article looks at section 71 of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 entitled ‘Slavery, Servitude and Forced or Compulsory Labour’, which criminalises modern forms of slavery in the United Kingdom. It discusses the landmark case Siliadin v France of the European Court of Human Rights, examines the possible interpretation of the new UK legislation in light of the case law, and explores the challenges that lie ahead. The paper argues that section 71 of the new Act is a useful reminder that courts and legislatures can work in tandem to establish and promote human rights principles. With the support of groups of civil society, they can take positive steps in addressing gross injustices that affect the most vulnerable amongst us: abusive working conditions produced by a market economy.
Keywords: modern slavery, servitude, forced labour, human rights, section 71 of Coroners and Justice Act 2009
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