Corporate Social Responsibility
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ONLINE COURSE
Avoid human rights risks in your supply chain.
Welcome to this online course offered by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI). The course has been developed by specialists at HEUNI to help you learn about, address, and mitigate human rights risks in your company or organisation.
Online Course
Preventing labour exploitation: navigating local supply chains
Welcome to this online courseoffered by the European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control (HEUNI). The course has been developed by specialists at HEUNI to help you learn about, address, and mitigate human rights risks in your company or organisation.
About this course
About us: HEUNI is the European regional institute in the United Nations Criminal Justice and Crime Prevention Programme Network. HEUNI functions under the auspices of the Finnish Ministry of Justice as an independent research and policy-making institute. HEUNI's vision is to identify evidence-based criminal justice and crime prevention practices in Europe, and share these within Europe and beyond, in order to advance more effective, rational and humane criminal justice systems.
Target audience: Everyone is welcome to take this course, and we especially recommend it if:
- You are an employer, recruiter, or head of staff
- Your company manages long supply chains or has external partners and employees
- Your company hires employees on flexible or temporary contracts
- Your company hires employees from outside your country, or migrant workers within your country
Learning outcomes: By the end of this course, you will
- Understand the meanings and nuances behind labour exploitation, labour trafficking and corporate social responsibility
- Have a wide understanding of why and how labour exploitation and trafficking happen
- Have the tools to better identify labour exploitation and trafficking in your own organisation
- Have access to a range of publications and resources to further support your work on this topic
Structure of the course: This course is divided into three sections. There are two short quizzes for your self-assessment. Use the navigation panel in the top-right corner to discover the different sections.
Target audience: Everyone is welcome to take this course, and we especially recommend it if:
- You are an employer, recruiter, or head of staff
- Your company manages long supply chains or has external partners and employees
- Your company hires employees on flexible or temporary contracts
- Your company hires employees from outside your country, or migrant workers within your country
Learning outcomes: By the end of this course, you will
- Understand the meanings and nuances behind labour exploitation, labour trafficking and corporate social responsibility
- Have a wide understanding of why and how labour exploitation and trafficking happen
- Have the tools to better identify labour exploitation and trafficking in your own organisation
- Have access to a range of publications and resources to further support your work on this topic
Structure of the course: This course is divided into three sections. There are two short quizzes for your self-assessment. Use the navigation panel in the top-right corner to discover the different sections.
Definitions
Labour exploitation
A set of abusive working conditions which can include poor terms of employment, long working hours, underpayment, poor or unsafe working conditions, little possibility for the employee to leave or change their situation
Forced labour
Work that people are forced to do under threat of punishment. Depending on the country, forced labour can be a separate crime or it can be criminalised as a form of exploitation under the national human trafficking legislation
Labour trafficking
Exploitation of a person for economic gain. If there are certain criteria in place, a labour trafficking case can become a human trafficking case. These conditions include: restriction of the worker's freedom, use of force, threats, debt bondage, misleading, false promises, and psychological pressure or violence
There are nuances and overlaps between these concepts. For instance, many forms of labour exploitation can escalate to become cases of labour trafficking. All victims' experiences are different, and cases are handled in different ways depending on the national legal system.
Specific at-risk sectors in Europe for labour exploitation and trafficking include construction, agriculture, food processing, garments and textiles, domestic work, catering, tourism and entertainment.
Businesses and companies should uphold certain levels of sustainability and workers' rights. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the practice of creating environmentally sustainable supply chains, maintaining the welfare and rights of workers, improving the surrounding community, investing responsibly, amongst many other actions.
Specific at-risk sectors in Europe for labour exploitation and trafficking include construction, agriculture, food processing, garments and textiles, domestic work, catering, tourism and entertainment.
Businesses and companies should uphold certain levels of sustainability and workers' rights. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the practice of creating environmentally sustainable supply chains, maintaining the welfare and rights of workers, improving the surrounding community, investing responsibly, amongst many other actions.
Labour exploitation in the media
Exploitation and trafficking are often investigated by journalists. The following news articles represent only a fraction of the exploitation cases that have become public, as most exploitation stays hidden.
Immigrant clean schools, kindergartens, grocery stores and restaurants in Finland. Many companies exploit their workers with impunity. The scale of exploitation is wide. At worst, cleaners work without pay and sleep on the worksite. Written by Paavo Teittinen (2020)
More than 50 MPs and peers have written to the home secretary urging her to do more to protect UK garment factory workers from exploitation. (2020)
Thousands of outsourced workers on inferior pay and conditions to fulfil demand for cheap meat, Guardian investigation shows. Written by Ella McSweeney and Holly Young (2021)
Hinton RCMP investigating complaint involving potential exploitation of workers. Written by Mrinali Anchan (2023)
Investigating how tech firms like OpenAI and Meta teach their algorithms right from wrong, TIME's Billy Perrigo discovered reoutine exploitation in the Global South. Written by Jem Bartholomew (2023)
IN FINNISH Yle: Rakennusalan yrittäjän epäillään riistäneen perulaisia ja romanilaisia työntekijöitä
Uusimaalaisen rakennusalan yrittäjän epäillään teettäneen ulkomaalaisilla työntekijöillä pitkiä työvuoroja viikon jokaisena työpäivänä. Toimittanut Simo Kymäläinen (2023)
"The costs of being associated with exploitation can be high - loss of clients and customers and long-term effects on reputation" - Anni Lietonen, Researcher at HEUNI
Labour exploitation and trafficking are not isolated or meaningless events. They can happen in any country, in any part of the supply chain. These malpractices are first and foremost detrminetal to victims, and they can also deeply harm companies. Investors, partners, consumers, and the media all respond poorly to companies which engage in human rights violations.
With increased mobility of workers and increasingly complex supply chains, there is a growing need to ensure that all involved parties know their rights and obligations. This can prevent the exploitation of workers and the risks of businesses becoming involved in such scenarios. Proactive businesses can mitigate such risks by engaging in risk management, inspections, and monitoring of working conditions.
With increased mobility of workers and increasingly complex supply chains, there is a growing need to ensure that all involved parties know their rights and obligations. This can prevent the exploitation of workers and the risks of businesses becoming involved in such scenarios. Proactive businesses can mitigate such risks by engaging in risk management, inspections, and monitoring of working conditions.
The UNGPs (United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights), developed by the UN, outline the obligations of states and businesses to uphold human rights. They were adopted in 2011 as the first global standard for preventing and addressing violations of human rights in this field. The UNGPs apply to all States and business enterprises. The UNGPs include 31 principles which are divided into three pillars: Protect, Respect, and Remedy. This is an internally accepted overview of the role that businesses have in human rights.
The ILO (International Labour Organization) is a specialised agency of the United Nations. The Declaration was adopted in 1998 and amended most recently in 2022. It outlines obligations and commitments for governments, employers and workers. Thse include: freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, the elimination of forced labour, the elimination of child labour, the elimination of workplace discrimination, and a safe and healthy working environment.
This directive outlines the sanctions and measures against employers of undocumented migrants. This includes obligations such as the duty of employers to verify the legal status of their employees.
Quiz
4 multiple choice questions for your self-evaluation.
| Take the quiz |
What industries in Europe have the highest instances of labour exploitation and trafficking?
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Choose the correct statement.
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Under what conditions can a labour trafficking case become a human trafficking case? Select all that apply.
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What is the role of businesses in labour trafficking and exploitation?
Labour exploitation and trafficking can happen in any part of the supply chain and in any country. Europe is not immune to these malpractices, in fact they are quite common throughout the continent.
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Please review the course materials above.
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Please review the course materials above.
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Good work. Please review the course materials above.
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Good work!
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Excellent work!
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Who is the victim?
The ways that labour exploitation, and especially human trafficking, are portrayed in the media and popular culture tend to follow a specific pattern. When it comes to trafficking, the trope of young women as victims of sexual trafficking is common. Imagery of shackles or taped mouths are also common, but they obscure the realities of trafficking and exploitation and can do harm to how survivors are understood and listened to. In reality, most trafficking situations look different from this.
There can be multiple and complex reasons why someone becomes vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Structural reasons include global inequalities and imbalances in the global labour market. Socioeconomic reasons include poverty, the lack of opportunities, the normalisation of migrating for work, and the 'acceptance' that migrant workers can make do with worse labour conditions. Family-related reasons include pressures to send money home, poor financial situation of one's family, illnesses, or being out of work. Personal reasons include immigration status, language abilities, one's own physical and mental state, previous experiences with poor treatment or trafficking. This does not paint a complete picture behind each victim, but illuminates the multiple intersecting layers that can make someone vulnerable.
There can be multiple and complex reasons why someone becomes vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Structural reasons include global inequalities and imbalances in the global labour market. Socioeconomic reasons include poverty, the lack of opportunities, the normalisation of migrating for work, and the 'acceptance' that migrant workers can make do with worse labour conditions. Family-related reasons include pressures to send money home, poor financial situation of one's family, illnesses, or being out of work. Personal reasons include immigration status, language abilities, one's own physical and mental state, previous experiences with poor treatment or trafficking. This does not paint a complete picture behind each victim, but illuminates the multiple intersecting layers that can make someone vulnerable.
It is important to acknowledge the complexity of how someone might end up in a situation of exploitation. Even though a victim may agree to certain conditions, they might do so because they have a lack of better options.
Additionally, in the Finnish context, the concepts 'dependent status' an 'insecure state' are used to refer to a victim's position of vulnerability. A dependent status can include being a tenant, being in debt, residing in an institution, or not having access to one's travel documents. An insecure state can include young age, homelessness, substance dependency, or immigration status.
Additionally, in the Finnish context, the concepts 'dependent status' an 'insecure state' are used to refer to a victim's position of vulnerability. A dependent status can include being a tenant, being in debt, residing in an institution, or not having access to one's travel documents. An insecure state can include young age, homelessness, substance dependency, or immigration status.
Labour exploitation schemes
There are multiple ways that an employer can use legal structures to hide malpractices. Sometimes this happens accidentally, but in other cases it was planned. Labour exploitation often goes undetected when it is obscured behind these legal structures. These schemes include bogus self-employment, posted work schemes, cascade sub-contracting. Although these may begin as legitimate business structures, once there is misleading, deception, or manipulation involved, these schemes can escalate to exploitation. Find out what these schemes are below.
Workers are forced to register as self-employed persons. In reality, they may have little control over their actions but unknowingly have to bear the risks and costs of entrepreneurship.
Front companies contract workers, often from less prosperous countries, and post them to work in a different country. For instance, Ukrainian, Belarussian or Vietnamese workers posted to Estonia and Latvia via Polish or Lithuanian countries.
A series of companies which aims at disguising the real employer and evading statutory responsibilities, while engaging in economic crimes and exploitation.
What these schemes have in common is their aim at cutting labour costs while imposing the burden of tax payments and social contributions on workers.
Watch the video below for more detailed information on the modus operandi of labour exploitation, presented by HEUNI's Senior Programme Officer, Anniina Jokinen.
Watch the video below for more detailed information on the modus operandi of labour exploitation, presented by HEUNI's Senior Programme Officer, Anniina Jokinen.
5 toolkits made for you
HEUNI has developed five toolkits for you to use to safeguard ethical practices in all parts of your business. Access the full Navigating through your supply chain publication here (opens in a new tab)
Risk assessment tool
Take the first step of due diligence and pinpoint the areas where the risks of exploitation are the highest. Includes an easy-to-use checklist for mapping ideas.
Access here (opens in new tab)
Strategy tool
Define a clear company strategy on the prevention of exploitation and trafficking, and include it in internal guidelines and corporate policies. Includes nine recommendations for value-driven action.
Access here (opens in new tab)
Screening tool
Get to know your partners, seek to verify that they act responsibly and are not engaged in abusive or criminal practices. Includes a list of questions for discussions with potential business partners.
Access here (opens in new tab)
Contract tool
Include permanent clauses in the contracts with subcontractors and other partners that are intended to clarify the obligations and requirements of the contractual partners. Includes four steps for putting policies in writing.
Access here (opens in new tab)
Workplace assessment tool
Monitor contractors' and subcontractors' operation through conducting inspections of working conditions on jobsites. Includes guidance for planning and conducting assessment along with a list of questions for discussions with migrant workers to uncover the risk factors that make workers vulnerable for exploitation and trafficking.
Access here (opens in new tab)
Get in touch with us!
We are here to help you improve and strengthen your supply chain. These tools work best when they are tailored for your business. Specialists at HEUNI are here to work with you, unpack the risks of your business, and find ways forward.
Find our contact details at the bottom of this course.Quiz
4 multiple choice questions for your self-evaluation.
| Take the quiz |
According to the UN Trafficking Protocol, what is needed to classify human trafficking as a crime?
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Select the definition of cascade subcontracting
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Select all the factors which increase someone's vulnerability as an employee.
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A labour scheme is...
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Please review the course materials above.
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Please review the course materials above.
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Good work! Please review the course materials above.
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Good work!
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Excellent work!
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Assess your company's risk
The following six questions have been developed by researchers at HEUNI. This self-evaluation will help assess whether your company is at risk of labour exploitation and trafficking.
| Take the quiz |
Does your company use temporary and/or seasonal labour?
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Does your company have migrant workers/ temporary staff employed under temporary contracts and hired by national or international temporary staffing agencies?
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Are there job functions which are outsourced and carried out by migrant workers or temporary staff who are not immediately visible or noticeable because the work is carried out at night or in remote places where there is less oversight?
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Is there sometimes confusion about the identity of workers who are employed, for example, on job sites that have complex subcontracting arrangements?
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Does your company lack an internal or external grievance mechanism or a system for processing complaints that would allow all workers to bring issues to the attention of management anonymously?
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Is your company part of a business sector which has previously been affected by undeclared labour, social dumping, labour exploitation and/or human trafficking according to the media, research, NGO reports or some other sources?
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Your company is at a low risk of labour exploitation
Your company has strong measures in place for preventing labour exploitation and trafficking. We recommend you read HEUNI's strategy tool (opens in new tab), which will help you solidify the great measures you already have in place.
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Your company is at a mild risk of labour exploitation
Your company has strong measures in place for preventing labour exploitation and trafficking. We recommend you read HEUNI's strategy tool (opens in new tab), which will help you develop and solidify the measures you already have in place.
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Your company is at risk of labour exploitation
Your company has some measures in place for combating labour exploitation, but is also lacking in certain areas. Please consider certain changes to improve the business practices of your company. We recommend that you read this publication (opens in new tab) to better understand the possible weak spots that your company has when it comes to exploitation and trafficking.
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Your company is at high risk of labour exploitation
Your company has some measures in place for combating labour exploitation, but is also lacking in multiple areas. Please consider certain changes to improve the business practices of your company, and safeguard your employees and your company against the consequences of labour exploitation. We recommend that you read HEUNI's publication (opens in new tab) to better understand the weak spots that your company has when it comes to exploitation and trafficking.
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Your company is at very high risk of labour exploitation and trafficking
Based on your answers, your company is at very high risk of labour exploitation and trafficking. Fortunately, there are many available solutions for your company to minimise this risk. We recommend that you begin by reading HEUNI's workplace assessment tool (opens in new tab), which has been specifically developed to support businesses in evaluating their strategies and practices around human rights. You will find more resources at the end of this course to assist you.
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Your company is at very high risk of labour exploitation and trafficking
Based on your answers, your company is at very high risk of labour exploitation and trafficking. Fortunately, there are many available solutions for your company to minimise this risk. We recommend that you begin by reading HEUNI's workplace assessment tool (opens in new tab), which has been specifically developed to support businesses in evaluating their strategies and practices around human rights. Experts at HEUNI can also help you to develop strategies for minimising the risks of exploitation, we would be happy to hear from you.You will find more resources at the end of this course to assist you.
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(add the canva video about sustainability in your supply chain?)
Discover HEUNI's latest publications
HEUNI has multiple in-house publications and resources relating to labour exploitation, trafficking, CSR and due diligence. Publications will open in a new tab once clicked on.
Further reading
All links will open in a new tab
All links will open in a new tab
- ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, by International Labour Organisation (2022)
- Serious shortcomings in the working time records of foreigners working in private homes, by Tyosuojelu.fi Website of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration in Finland (2022)
- Rough roads: the exploitation of Filipino truck drivers in Europe, by Ana P. Santos (2022)
- The people behind the prices: a focused human rights impact assessment of SOK Corporation's Italian processed tomato supply chains, by Oxfam (2019)
- Protecting migrant workers from exploitation in the EU: boosting workplace inspections, by FRA, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (2018)
- Risky business: tackling exploitation in the UK labour market, by Focus on Labour Exploitation (2017)
- From forced flexibility to forced labour: the exploitation of migrant workers in Finland, by Natalia Ollus (2016)
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, by United Nations (2011)
- Migrant workers' rights: The Dhaka Principles (website), developed by the Institute for Human Rights and Business
- Toolkits for reducing modern slavery: Stronger together (website)
- More on employment: Forced and bogus self-employment (website), by Vero.fi
Contact Us
heuni@om.fi
Vilhonkatu 4 B 19
00100 Helsinki
Finland
00100 Helsinki
Finland