Slavery and human trafficking statement 2023 to 2024

1. First Minister’s Foreword

Human trafficking is an egregious violation of human rights, and the Scottish Government is committed to tackling these abhorrent crimes. The Scottish Government has a legal and moral responsibility to ensure that Scotland is a place where individuals can live free from exploitation, with their rights respected, protected and upheld. Our Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement for 2023-2024 sets out the steps taken to identify and mitigate risks of exploitation within the Scottish Government’s operations and supply chains. It reaffirms our commitment to transparency, ethical procurement, and fair work practices. We remain steadfast in our efforts to work collaboratively with stakeholders, and drive forward continuous improvement.

Our approach is guided by policy and legislation, as well as key principles from Scotland’s Fair Work Framework. We are proud of our leadership in promoting Fair Work, including our status as an accredited Living Wage employer, our commitment to Living Hours accreditation, and our use of Fair Work First criteria in public sector grants and public procurement. We require our suppliers to maintain high standards of ethical practice, pay the real Living Wage, and provide appropriate channels for effective workers’ voice such as trade union recognition and representation.

We have made progress in tackling trafficking and labour exploitation in Scotland, but we know there is more to do. This statement reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring that our actions match our values and to our vision for a just, safe, and resilient Scotland.