Slavery was formally abolished in the US and Europe long ago. But forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, slavery and slavery-like practices, human trafficking, and the worst forms of child labor remain painful issues for the world. These covert activities are enabled by crime and corruption, and they’re a problem in developed as well as emerging countries.

Even a trip to the local grocery store can expose unaware consumers to modern slavery. It could arise through an action that seems as innocuous as purchasing seafood, which may have been gathered by fishers who spend an inordinate time at sea under inhumane conditions. Modern slavery might also touch consumers who visit the produce department to buy fresh fruit and other crops harvested by itinerant works subject to abuse.

Because it’s so insidious and difficult to root out, modern slavery is a growing challenge for businesses across industries. That makes it a global issue for the investors who channel capital to companies through their investment processes – an issue that demands concrete actions.

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