Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet has approved an Anti-Slavery Policy annual statement in its meeting on 28 January, 2020.
This statement sets out the steps that have been taken over the year to tackle Modern Slavery and human trafficking, and to promote ethical employment and transparency in our supply chains. It also notes the steps the Council are working towards over the next year.
Ellen ap Gwynn, Leader of the Council and Champion Member for Equality and Diversity, said: “The Council does not tolerate modern slavery or human trafficking in our organisation or in our supply chains. We will continue to tackle and deter a crime that targets some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
The Council adopted its first Anti-Slavery Policy in December 2017 and since then, Councillor Lyndon Lloyd MBE has been appointed the Modern Slavery Champion. He said: “The Annual Statement and Action Plan make it very clear; the Council will take every opportunity to tackle Modern Slavery not only in its own work, but also in the supply chain that surrounds the Council. This is a real problem that affects people in both rural and urban areas.”
Modern Slavery involves the movement, coercion and exploitation of vulnerable adults and children. Types of exploitation include labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, criminal exploitation, domestic servitude and organ harvesting. In 2018, there were 251 potential victims of modern slavery reported in Wales, which is a 30% increase on 2017. 50% of the victims were children.
The Annual Statement is available on the Council website here: https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/your-council/strategies-plans-policies/modern-slavery-and-ethical-employment/
09/03/2020