AGS Airports, which owns and manages Aberdeen International, Glasgow and Southampton airports, has marked Anti-Slavery Week by reaffirming its commitment to the Slave-Free Alliance, a social enterprise that works with businesses to address the growing issue of modern slavery.
The Slave-Free Alliance is part of Hope for Justice, a charity which aims to end modern slavery by preventing exploitation, rescuing victims and restoring their lives. It is estimated by the charity that 40.3 million people worldwide are trapped in slavery.
Raising awareness on the issues of human trafficking and forced labour is a key pillar of AGS Airports’ sustainability strategy and its work to promote responsible procurement.
A key benefit of joining Slave-Free Alliance is to independently review, benchmark and develop responsible systems and processes to combat modern slavery.
Derek Provan, chief executive of AGS Airports Ltd, said: “At AGS we are committed to tackling the growing issue of modern slavery and human trafficking. It forms a key part of our sustainability strategy and joining the Slave-Free Alliance has helped bolster our approach in this hugely important area.
“By working with the Slave Free Alliance, we have been able to further educate our staff, strengthen our policies, and have the necessary procedures in place to ensure slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere within our business or supply chain.”
Rachel Hartley, Training & Technical Services Manager at Slave-Free Alliance, said: “AGS Airports have taken huge strides this year and I want to thank them for being one of the leaders on this issue for the whole aviation sector.
“Joining Slave-Free Alliance in the first place is an important step to ensuring that supply chains – and those who work within them – are protected. AGS Airports have been taking strong and decisive action, which really shows their commitment.
“Anti-Slavery Day is a great day for all businesses to take time to raise awareness about the reality of this crime with their staff, suppliers and customers, because there is still so much for us all to do.”
In 2020, AGS joined the Slave-Free Alliance, a social enterprise and membership initiative launched by anti-slavery charity Hope for Justice which aims to end modern slavery by preventing exploitation, rescuing victims and restoring their lives.
The Slave-Free Alliance is the business sector’s acknowledgement that slavery in supply chains is real and a key factor driving human trafficking in the developing world and across borders to countries like the UK.
It can affect any unprepared business, no matter their sector. As a social enterprise, all profits made by the Slave-Free Alliance are reinvested into charitable anti-slavery projects around the world.