The Modern Slavery Act 2015


In March 2015, the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 15) received Royal Assent. In particular, the MSA 15:


• updates and consolidates existing slavery and trafficking offences under one Act;


• creates a new post of Anti-Slavery Commissioner; 


• increases the maximum sentence for serious offenders to life imprisonment;


• introduces Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders; and


• requires large employers to publish an annual modern slavery statement explaining how they are preventing slavery in their supply chain.


In January 2016, the UK became the third country to ratify a new International Labour Organisation Forced Labour Protocol, which comes into effect in November 2016. The ILO are campaigning for the Protocol to be ratified by 50 countries.