Forced Labour and Money Laundering

Created in collaboration with Jonathan Chibafa; Founder & Chief Legal Officer of Forge ESG, leading barrister and compliance expert specialising in financial crime and ESG compliance at Fortune 500 companies.

Modern slavery affects 27.6 million people globally, with forced labour generating $150 billion in criminal profits annually. Understanding and preventing these practices is both a moral imperative and critical business risk management, especially given recent legal developments that have fundamentally changed how companies face potential money laundering liability.

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Why This Training is Critical Now

For every 1,000 people globally, 3.5 are working in forced labour conditions. Your organisation could be exposed through direct employment, suppliers, or extended supply chains. The landmark 2024 World Uyghur Congress v National Crime Agency Court of Appeal ruling has revolutionised this landscape, establishing that companies cannot rely on paying fair market value to avoid money laundering liability when dealing with goods suspected of being produced through forced labour.

This case fundamentally changed the interpretation of the "adequate consideration" exemption under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), meaning goods produced through forced labour can remain "criminal property" throughout the supply chain, exposing businesses to serious financial crime risks.

What You'll Master

Core Understanding:

• Definitions of forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery
• International standards and UK legal frameworks (Modern Slavery Act 2015, Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act)

Critical Legal Developments:

• World Uyghur Congress case implications and the new money laundering risk landscape
• How forced labour connects directly to POCA money laundering offences

Risk Recognition:

• Identifying red flags in high-risk sectors: in recruitment, working conditions, and worker treatment
 
• AML risk indicators linked to forced labour practices

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Prevention Strategies:

• Implementing robust due diligence and supplier screening with enhanced AML considerations

Response and Compliance:

 
• Enhanced financial crime risk management and POCA compliance requirements

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‍Protect and Comply in the New Legal Landscape

This training provides practical tools to identify, prevent, and respond to forced labour risks while ensuring full compliance with evolving legal requirements. Understand your new money laundering exposure and protect your organisation from both regulatory sanctions and reputational damage in this transformed compliance environment.

‍Safeguard vulnerable workers. Protect your business. Navigate new financial crime risks.

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Looking for tailored training solutions?

Denken Bespoke develops bespoke content to meet your organisation’s specific requirements.

To learn more, please email: hello@denkenknowledge.com

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