The Modern Slavery Act 2015



The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 15) consolidated the offences of slavery, trafficking, servitude or compulsory labour. The most serious offenders can now face life imprisonment. The MSA created a new regulator – the Anti-Slavery Commissioner – responsible for enforcement, and introduced new penalties called Slavery and Trafficking Prevention Orders. Someone who suffers harm as a result of an offence under the MSA 15 can claim compensation, but only if a conviction is secured.


The MSA 15 also introduced a requirement for large employers (those with a global turnover of £36 million, including subsidiaries) to publish an annual “slavery and human trafficking statement” explaining how they are preventing slavery in their supply chain.
The first statements were scheduled to be published by the end of March 2017.


A new International Labour Organisation Forced Labour Protocol, ratified by the UK, came into force on 9 November 2016.