Achilles, a supply chain management software company, has published its latest UK Ethical Business Annual Report.
Based on data collected through Achilles鈥� Ethical Business Programme, the report draws from interviews with 9,834 construction workers representing 102 nationalities, across hundreds of sites in the UK and Ireland. These insights provide a detailed view into the conditions facing those most at risk of exploitation.
Key issues identified include:
- Recruitment fees charged to workers
- Unexplained deductions from wages
- Restricted access to mobile phones
- Lack of free personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Informal or unclear employment arrangements.
These issues are exacerbated for migrant workers who may have limited English language proficiency or awareness of their employment rights in the UK.
The report also reflects on the evolving legal landscape, including the influence of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015, revealing gaps in enforcement and inadequate safeguards that continue to place workers 鈥� particularly immigrants 鈥� at risk.
鈥淭he findings in our latest report offer a practical view of where challenges remain and where progress is being made,鈥� said Achilles chief executive Paul Stanley. 鈥淭he Achilles Ethical Business Programme is designed to give voice to those on the front lines and help organisations detect risks that traditional audits can miss. Our goal is to support construction companies with the insight and tools they need to identify risk, protect workers, and strengthen ethical practices across their supply chains.鈥�
The full report is available at
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