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<p>The Government is clear that it expects all UK businesses to respect human rights
throughout their operations, in line with the UN Guiding Principles. <del class="ministerial">In
response to the Guidelines, the</del> <ins class="ministerial">The</ins> UK was the
first State to produce a National Action Plan and we continue to develop our approach
in line with Modern Slavery Act 2015. <del class="ministerial">Section 54 of the Modern
Slavery Act places a requirement on businesses with a turnover of £36 million or more,
to publish an annual modern slavery statement setting out the steps they have taken
to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. To further bolster
our commitment to tackle modern slavery, in</del> <ins class="ministerial">In</ins>
January 2021, the UK Government announced that financial penalties will be introduced
for organisations who fail to meet their statutory obligations to publish annual modern
slavery statements. We have also enhanced Companies Act reporting (2013, 2016).</p><p>The
UK is signatory to the 1976 OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multi-National
Enterprises, which adopted the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (the
Guidelines). The Guidelines are a set of voluntary principles and standards for businesses
to encourage responsible business practices, including human rights, labour standards
and environment. The UK operates a National Contact Point (UK NCP) to promote the
Guidelines and to run a non-judicial grievance mechanism to assess alleged non-compliance
with the Guidelines. It also offers a platform for mediation and conciliation. The
complaints mechanism can include the examination of instances where abuses of human
rights may have occurred. The UK NCP also represents the UK at the OECD Working Party
on Responsible Businesses Conduct.</p>
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