Latest Global Updates from Stronger Together

Celebrating Five Years in South Africa

This month, we celebrate and reflect on five successful years of our South Africa Programme. We have gone from strength-to-strength receiving the support of industry associations, importers and exporters and international retailers to support agri-businesses to address forced labour risks in their operations and the wider supply chain.

Alongside that, we have worked with government bodies, civil society organisations, and victim support services which have resulted in an increase of understanding of the risks of forced labour in agriculture. It has also highlighted the effective ways to tackle this for all stakeholders, as well as increase discussions and communications across peer to peer and private-public sectors on the topic.

85% of survey respondents in 2021 indicated that they had taken action to embed prevention of forced labour in their business following their workshop attendance.

To date, we have equipped 1325+ businesses from across South Africa to detect, deter and deal with forced labour. We’ve delivered 150+ foundation and advanced training workshops, as well as provided many more businesses with impactful step by step guidance and resources.

As we continue to support businesses on their ethical trade journey, we are delighted that BerryWorld, Sainsbury’s, Systembolaget, Tesco and Vinmonopolet will remain Sponsors of the programme.   

“Thank you very much for the eye opening lesson. I am equipped to excel in my work area”

South Africa workshop delegate

In 2021, we expanded our reach into the African continent with notable work done in both Malawi and Zimbabwe. We have built important partnerships directly with those on the ground, and developed free guidance and awareness resources. We have also delivered 14 workshops in the sugar and tea sector, attended by over 110 different businesses across Malawi, whilst delivering a pilot programme in Zimbabwe for agri-businesses.

“Good workshop and discussion, very aligned to our organization targets and certification requirements”

“Thank you Stronger Together, we have been missing this information”

Malawi workshop delegates

In the year ahead, we will be introducing several new and exciting guidance and initiatives; including ethical practical guidance for supervisors and forced labour awareness raising sessions with agri-workers.

Find out more and join our activities: contact infoza@stronger2gether.org

Find out more about our South Africa programme

Find out more about our Malawi programme

Supporting workers affected by the war in Ukraine

An estimated 5.2 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded in February earlier this year.

In response, Stronger Together and its partners have created an informative guide for UK businesses to help in ensuring that workers affected by this conflict are protected from harm, and have a positive recruitment and employment experience.

Included in this guide:

• Up to date information on right to work, visa routes and offering work and accommodation.
• Practical steps to ensure responsible recruitment and employment.
• Guidance on supporting Ukrainians already in the UK, those looking to enter and people from other affected groups.

This document will be regularly updated as the situation progresses. The latest version will always be available from the link below.

Tags: South Africa, news, ukraine, guidance

Categorised in: News