Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) has published its “Statement of Principles & 
Recommended Practices for Confronting Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery,” and publicly released this statement, along with an extensive list of endorsing companies, investor organizations (including Friends Fiduciary), faith-based communities and non-governmental organizations on International Human Rights Day on December 10th. Starting in the New Year, ICCR will be issuing this statement to companies focused in the food and agriculture sector and the hospitality sector. The exploitation of persons, for labor or sexual purposes, is the third largest illegal “business” after drug and arms trafficking: in 2012, the International Labor Organization conservatively estimated that some 21 million people worldwide, including in the U.S., remain enslaved. FFC shares the popular belief that companies have a responsibility to respect human rights, and urges companies to scrutinize their operations and supply chains to ensure they aren’t inadvertently complicit in abuses associated with human trafficking and modern day slavery. Actively working to eradicate these human rights abuses can also alleviate the risks of lawsuits, negative publicity, consumer boycotts, business interruptions and strikes a company can face as a result of being complicit in human rights abuses. Adopting and implementing a comprehensive, transparent and verifiable human rights policy is socially responsible and makes business sense. To view the statement in full with its principles and recommended practices, click here
