Time for Morrison Government to back the ban on forced labour imports

Uyghur organisations, human rights groups and trade unions have welcomed the introduction of a Bill which would ban goods produced with forced labour, and called on the Morrison Government to support the legislation.

Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie introduced the Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced by Forced Labour) Bill 2021 into the federal House of Representatives today.

The Bill was first proposed by independent Senator Rex Patrick after chilling testimony of mass internment and forced labour by Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims was heard by the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade earlier this year. It was passed by the Senate in August. Similar legislation has been enacted in the US and Canada.  

The Human Rights Law Centre, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Womens’ Association and Be Slavery Free have all backed the ban.

They are also calling on the Morrison Government to implement all recommendations made by the Senate Committee to ensure the legislation can be robustly enforced, including additional investigative powers and resourcing for Australian Border Force and a rebuttable presumption that goods will be detained where evidence reasonably indicates the use of forced labour.

Ramila Chanisheff, President, Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Womens’ Association:

“We urge the Australian Government to support this Bill and take meaningful action against slavery. The industrial scale at which Uyghurs are being held in internment and labour camps means immediate action on this issue is needed. There is no single Uyghur or Turkic member of our community that has not been personally affected by the gross human rights violations on family or friends in East Turkistan. The Government must ban goods made with forced labour and ensure enforceable processes and penalties are in place urgently.”

Michele O’Neil, President, Australian Council of Trade Unions:

“The Morrison Government has the opportunity to take action against slavery and the businesses which are still profiting from it. This goes to the most basic principles of our country and our responsibility to uphold and promote human rights wherever possible. There is no possible defence for standing in the way of this Bill. We congratulate Senator Rex Patrick for bringing this Bill forward and Rebekha Sharkie MP for raising this important issue in Parliament today.”

Freya Dinshaw, Senior Lawyer, Human Rights Law Centre:

“No business should profit from slavery. Australians would be horrified to know there is no law in place to stop goods made with forced labour ending up on our shelves. The Australian Government should take this opportunity to strengthen its modern slavery laws, by introducing a robust and transparent forced labour ban that places the onus back onto importers to show their goods are slavery-free. We should all have confidence the goods we purchase are not made at the expense of other peoples’ freedom.”

Carolyn Kitto, Co-Director, Be Slavery Free:

“Australian businesses just can’t compete. When slavery is used to produce certain cheap products imported into Australia, those who are doing the right thing are not able to compete. Australia was once regarded as a leader in addressing modern slavery. Now we are lagging. This Bill will take a giant leap towards in addressing the risk of business involvement in human rights abuses and protecting Australian farmers and industry. It will also give consumers the confidence they are not supporting slavery and slavery-like conditions in the imported products they purchase.”