Stronger Together, the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA) and the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa (SIZA) have partnered to support South African fruit and wine producers to address the risk of modern slavery within their businesses and supply chains. The programme has been funded by the UK Home Office Modern Slavery Innovation Fund.
An estimated 24.9 million people are in situations of forced labour globally today. Due to a number of contributing factors, agriculture is a sector with a high risk of labour exploitation. However, many businesses within this sector are not aware of, or able to address this exploitation that may be taking place within their businesses and supply chains today.
This initiative is designed to equip these businesses:
- With the knowledge to understand what forced labour is and how to spot the signs
- With the skills, and tools to address modern slavery risks and vulnerabilities within their operations
- To implement responsible labour management practices to address modern slavery risks
- To implement a response plan should any form of modern slavery be suspected or found.
The initiative will also facilitate dialogue between the different supply chain partners and producers. Organisations and businesses involved in the supply chain of wine and fruit from South Africa to national or international markets can get involved by:
- Referring and supporting your producers to engage with the programme by attending the training and using the free resources
- Contributing to the programme by becoming a partner.
Contact us to find out more.
Opportunity to host a workshop
Engage, inform and equip your suppliers and employees – if you provide a venue Stronger Together can deliver a free Tackling Forced Labour Workshop at your site to between 20-30 attendees from your region. Contact us with your name, organisation and location: [email protected] | +27 (0) 21 880 0580.
Report exploitation
Contact details of organisations to report suspicions of/or modern slavery exploitation to:
- The South African National Human Trafficking Resource Line: Contact: 0800 222 777 | www.0800222777.org.za
The South Africa National Human Trafficking Resource Line is able to assist with any queries from either producer or farm management as well as from potential victims of modern day slavery themselves.
- The Salvation Army: Toll-free number: 08000 RESCU (73728) | www.salvationarmy.org.za/anti-human-trafficking
Always call the police in an emergency.
Register
Register on our website now to download our free resources, book onto an interactive training workshop and to stay in touch with us via our email newsletters and training updates.
Watch
Eyes Wide Open: an awareness raising short film to find out more about exploitation in the wine and fruit growing industries in South Africa.
Partner
Register your interest for becoming a partner organisation for Stronger Together South Africa programme.