Australia’s Anti-Slavery Commissioner Says Trump ‘Most Effective’ at Dealing With Forced Labour

Australia’s first anti-slavery commissioner has praised Donald Trump’s efforts acting on forced labour supply chains, saying his policies are currently the most effective at dealing with the issue.

The comments were made during a panel hosted by Ethical Clothing Australia on Oct. 30 in Sydney, where international and local experts discussed the need to address worker exploitation in the textile, clothing, and footwear industries at both a global and local level.

During the discussion, Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans said addressing poverty in sourcing countries was essential to eliminating exploitation and reducing refugee pressures.

“People are living in poverty, and they’ll take opportunities, even if they seem very poor choices to us,” he said.

“It’s often the only choice, until we start addressing those issues, the problem is not going to go away, because people will act rationally.

“We see it as modern slavery or severe exploitation, but that might be their best option, and until we actually invest in those countries and people have a decent standard of living and some security in their lives, I can’t see the problem going away.”

Evans said migration pressures similarly needed to be addressed in home countries first.

“But it’s also about stronger responses by the government,” he said.

Australia Not Using Powers to Block Forced-Labour Goods

Evans added that Australia has the power to enact change, but is not using it. He pointed to the United States as an example.

“I’m not necessarily an import ban fan, but if you see what Trump is doing, he’s the most effective at the moment in dealing with forced labour,” Evans said.

“The largest bicycle company in the world, Giant, got pinged in Taiwan for having modern slavery and supply chains.”

Evans said Giant makes millions in Australian sales, but does not have to report against Australia’s Modern Slavery Act because their earnings are slightly below the reporting threshold.

“Donald Trump fixed the problem by actually putting the ban on them bringing the bikes into America,” Evans said.

On Sept. 24, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a withhold release order for bikes, parts, and accessories made in Taiwan by Giant, citing evidence of debt bondage, withheld wages, and abusive practices.

“Now they’re running around, putting out press releases and trying to improve the housing, etc. So [import bans] do work. But classically, we keep bringing as many of those bikes as we would have, unlike Donald Trump.”

Evans previously led the Global Freedom Network, where he worked with global faith leaders to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.

He has also served 20 years as a federal cabinet minister for Western Australia, holding key portfolios, including immigration and tertiary education.