Blockchain technology and modern slavery: Reducing deceptive recruitment in migrant worker populations

Katherine L Christ and Christine V Helliar

Journal of Business Research, 2021, vol. 131, issue C, 112-120

Abstract: Modern slavery, including forced labour, is a practice that impacts more than 40 million people, 20 million of whom are trapped in corporate supply chains. Migrant workers are disproportionately affected by this practice, who are often from developing countries and are vulnerable to exploitation through deceptive recruitment practices. With questions raised as to the efficacy of social audit and increasing pressure on governments and large businesses to identify and reduce the incidence of modern slavery in corporate activities, new approaches and tools are needed. The purpose of this paper is to offer a conceptual discussion as to how a relatively new technology, the blockchain, might be used to reduce vulnerability and risk in migrant worker populations. Limitations and directions for future research are also considered.

Keywords: Blockchain; Modern slavery; Migrant workers; Forced labour; Deceptive recruitment; Unethical recruitment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jbrese:v:131:y:2021:i:c:p:112-120

DOI: 10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.03.065

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