Full Story Kmart faces legal action in Australia over potential forced labour links
Aug 25, 2025
Ben Doherty, Senior reporter for Guardian Australia, dives into the legal action initiated by an Australian Uyghur group against Kmart, scrutinizing its supply chain for ties to forced labor in Xinjiang. He highlights serious allegations about working conditions and the implications for Australia’s modern slavery laws. The discussion reveals the gaps in legislation, exposing how Australia's current laws may fall short in preventing forced labor. Consumers' role in demanding transparency is emphasized, urging them to question the origins of products they purchase.
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Supplier Appears Across Major Retailer Lists
- A factory linked to alleged forced labour appears on Kmart's 2025 factory list and on lists for other major retailers.
- Public lists connect the same supplier to Target, Big W and Fast Retailing, raising systemic supply-chain concerns.
Reporting Without Remediation Is A Major Gap
- Australia's Modern Slavery Act only requires reporting and imposes no penalties or compulsory remediation.
- This gap means companies can identify risks without being forced to address them, weakening protections for exploited workers.
Strengthen Laws With Mandatory Actions
- Implement high-risk declarations and require companies to address identified modern slavery risks, as recommended by the Macmillan review.
- Add penalties and mandatory remediation duties to spur meaningful corporate action against forced labour.