The Global Business of Forced Labour
A multidisciplinary international research project examining the business models of forced labour within global supply chains, focusing on case studies of tea and cocoa.
This project is funded by the United Kingdom’s Economic and Social Research Council and is based at the University of Sheffield. It involves collaboration with partners around the world, including Yale University and the International Labour Organization. The project began in 2016 and will end in April 2019.
Key Research Questions
What factors create business ‘demand’ for forced labour within global supply chains? What are the business models of forced labour in cocoa and tea supply chains that supply chocolate and tea to the UK and US markets? How effective are corporate social responsibility initiatives like ‘ethical’ certification and anti-slavery laws in combating the business of forced labour?