Investor Resources

Timber is the fifth-largest product by value at risk of forced labor imported to the US yet research shows that companies in the forestry sector are failing to address risks of forced labor in their supply chains through their policies and processes.

ICCR organizes an investor working group on forced labor and human rights more broadly. They help their members file resolutions and engage companies that they hold.

A helpful guide for investors on how to think about integrating social risks into the supply chains of the companies they hold.

This newsletter provides an overview of the latest tools on forced labor, investor engagement on forced labor, and news and reports on the topic.

In 2016 the Church Investor Group began an engagement programme aimed at tackling modern slavery within the supply chains of listed companies.

This report reviews global supply chain transparency legislation, and discusses if Canadian investors would benefit from domestic supply chain legislation, and what due diligence reporting should look like in Canada.

This report examines the business case for fair labor practices, the labor lens investing market, and investment models and structures.

The Investor Alliance for Human Rights and KnowTheChain invite investors to sign this statement to demonstrate commitment to addressing forced labor.

The Interactive Map for Business of Anti-Human Trafficking Organisations and the accompanying report is a resource for companies to navigate emerging partners and resources; for all anti-trafficking organisations; and the general public to improve coordination on the eradication of modern slavery, and a baseline from which existing and newly formed initiatives can move forward.

This report assesses the efforts of 20 of the largest global apparel and footwear companies to address forced labor in their supply chains. The ranking focuses on commitment and governance, traceability and risk assessment, purchasing practices, recruitment, worker voice, monitoring, and remedy.

This report presents the findings and methodology of the ILO’s 2012 minimum estimate of forced labor.

This Shift study, which assed the maturity of human rights reporting amongst 74 companies, is intended to help investors assess if the information they’re currently receiving from companies is sufficient to evaluate their practices.

Guidance developed specifically for banks on their exposure to human rights abuses and what steps they can take to address possible risks.

Five years after SB 657’s signing, KnowTheChain developed an insights brief with key lessons and recommendations, based on a sample set of 500 companies that KnowTheChain identified as impacted by SB 657.

This briefing explores investor action on forced labor in three cases: State-sanctioned forced labor in Burma [Oil and Gas], child labor and forced labor in West Africa [Cocoa], and slave labor in Brazil [Iron and Steel].

Finance Against Slavery and Trafficking's Blueprint provides a collective action framework for the whole financial sector and professional service providers to accelerate action to end modern slavery and human trafficking.

KnowTheChain's case study examines how 10 food and beverage companies are addressing forced labor in their sugarcane supply chains.

This resource provides guidance to companies on the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act, suggesting implementation of a comprehensive human rights framework.

Key considerations for helping conduct due diligence under the OECD guidelines for institutional investors. The guidance can help investors consider what actions they can take to address possible exposure to human rights issues.

KnowTheChain assesses the efforts of 40 large global ICT companies to address forced labor risks in their supply chains.

The Modern Slavery Index 2017 assesses the risk to business of exposure to practices of slavery, servitude, trafficking in persons and forced labour. The index focuses on modern slavery risks at country level.

This briefing supports investors who want to engage companies on their actions to tackle modern slavery in their supply chains. It is specifically intended to help investors make sense of company Modern Slavery Act Statements.

ICCR has launched the first-ever investor network solely dedicated to human rights issues. The Alliance will help investors understand different ways to engage in the risks posed by human rights.

Guide created by the Home Office of the UK to help companies that are required to comply with the UK Modern Slavery Act.

A useful background briefing by the American Board Association on the impact of changes to U.S. Customs ability to block goods made with forced labor.

A practical example of how Dutch banks have attempted to implement the elements of the OECD Guidance for financial institutions on human rights.

A brief that helps investors engage with companies on actions to tackle modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. It is specifically intended to help investors make sense of company Modern Slavery Act Statements.

This briefing provides information on the risks and implications of forced labor in company operations and supply chains. It highlights the role of investor engagement in addressing this global problem.

This paper discusses proposed and existing modern slavery legislation, and proposes elements a harmonized international standard for national legislations should include: mandatory transparency; mandatory due diligence; and public procurement.

A helpful factsheet on the new French law that requires corporate action on human rights.

The Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed apparel and agricultural products companies on their human rights policies, processes, and performance, including on sector specific risks such as forced labor.

This case study assesses how a sample of ten food and beverage companies address forced labor risks across their sugarcane supply chains.

This resource is a searchable database of national laws and regulations on individual and corporate accountability for human trafficking and forced labor.

This is an overview of the ILO Core labor standards and ways that investors can appropriately and effectively engage their portfolio companies on these issues. The paper includes a section on company action and reporting on labor standards.

A practical guide for investor engagement on labor practices in agricultural supply chains, developed in response to the UN PRI’s engagement from 2013-2015.

The ILO Helpdesk for Business provides companies with guidance on how to better align their business operations with international standards. This section answers FAQs on forced labor and supply chains.

KnowTheChain worked to identify lessons and recommendations that can benefit companies across all sectors. This report is the product of those efforts.

This repository of over 5,000 statements from global companies under the UK Modern Slavery Act and California Transparency in Supply Chains Act enables users to search for statements by company, sector, and country, and to access reporting guidance.

KTC's benchmark of 20 global food and beverage companies on efforts to address forced labor. The ranking focuses on commitment and governance, traceability and risk assessment, purchasing practices, recruitment, worker voice, monitoring, and remedy.

A resource to help investors engage portfolio companies on forced labor risks. This resource answers questions such as: How do I identify forced labor in my portfolio? What questions should I ask companies?

KTC's benchmark of 20 global ICT companies on efforts to address forced labor. The ranking focuses on commitment and governance, traceability and risk assessment, purchasing practices, recruitment, worker voice, monitoring, and remedy.

Three years after the passage of the United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act, KnowTheChain reviewed how more than 100 global companies in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector are responding to the law.

This briefing focuses on why responsible labor practices matter for investors, provides alerts on what investors should look out for, and for recommendations on engaging with apparel companies on labor practices.

This report aims to help investors to understand the ESG risks such as labor standards in the Asian meat, dairy and seafood sector, and suggests questions that investors can use to assess the resilience of their holdings.

Civil society guidance to help companies go beyond the legal requirements of the UK Modern Slavery Act to implement leading practices which help reduce risks of forced labor.

This guide highlights the methods investors can use to integrate social issues such as supply chain standards into listed equity investments.

KnowTheChain assesses the efforts of 43 global apparel and footwear companies to address forced labor risks in their supply chains.

A guide for investors on business and human rights developed by the Institute for Human Rights and Business. This resource provides helpful information to investors on what steps they can take to ensure their investments align with their values.

An analysis of 50 companies UK Modern Slavery Act statements who operate in sectors with known modern slavery risks. The report explores if and how companies include information on these raw material and sector-specific risks.

In this new report, we identify areas across sectors where progress has been made, as well as gaps where corporate practice continues to fall short.

PRI works with interested signitories to engage on human rights issues. Their working group on supply chain labor has specific focus on food and beverage companies.

Compliance guide released by the California Attorney General’s office to help companies comply with the requirements of the Transparency in Supply Chain Act.

Construction is the second-highest-risk sector for forced labor (after domestic work), with an estimated 4.5 million construction workers in forced labor around the world.9 Exploitation in the construction sector occurs across the globe, from Angola, China and Qatar to Russia, the UK, and the USA.

This paper examines trends towards greater transparency, such as shifting industry norms, emerging regulations, and greater interest from civil society. It includes a chart explaining the scope, requirements, and enforcement mechanisms of the legal and regulatory transparency frameworks.

KnowTheChain assesses the efforts of 38 global food and beverage companies to address forced labor risks in their supply chains.

A webinar covering good practices from KTC, the Corporate Human Rights Benchmark and the Modern Slavery Act Registry. Speakers from H&M and Intel share their perspective on addressing challenges with forced labor in supply chains.

This policy brief examines the California Transparency in Supply Chains Act and argues that best practice must go beyond the letter of the law to effectively address risks of trafficking and forced labor in the global economy.

KTC's cross-sector report that highlights findings within three sectors, and identified lessons and recommendations that can benefit companies across all sectors, with a specific focus on worker voice and remedy.