澳洲企業與人權相關法制之探討──以2018年現代奴役法之報告義務為核心

Implementation of Business and Human Rights Obligations in Australia a preliminary study of the reporting regime under Australia’s Modern Slavery Act 2018

澳洲係聯合國人權理事會有關《商業與人權指導原則》決議的共同提案國之一，自始即支持該決議內容之推展。其後，澳洲國會亦於制定2018年現代奴役法前就是否應通過「類似於英國2015年現代奴役法」之制度進行廣泛意見蒐集之詢查，並於參考英國及美國加州等地之模式後方完成立法，自2019年1月1日起生效施行。
大抵而言，澳洲現代奴役法係採年度綜合營收達1億元澳幣之企業及其他法定通報實體應強制提交「現代奴役聲明」之立法模式，藉由描述該等實體營運及供應鏈之現代奴役風險來提升企業透明度，促進該等實體對於現代奴役進一步採取風險評估、盡職調查及救濟程序。澳洲政府選擇以強制做成現代奴役聲明為通報實體主要義務之立法設計，以作為啟動企業與人權法制之第一步，或許不失為阻力較小、較容易凝聚共識之選項。然而，以通報為主要義務之立法是否能藉由企業「透明度」之提升來促進實質的人權改善，達到「問責」的效果？立法目的是否能有效實現值得持續觀察。
澳洲政府於該法制定前曾藉由立法詢查及公聽會之舉辦廣泛蒐集意見，而其他非政府組織及大型企業亦對現代奴役之現況提供建議以供立法之參考。此等廣泛意見蒐集，並將相關紀錄及書面報告公開於網站供各界瞭解知悉之立法準備工作，對於促進各界對此議題之充分對話有所助益。最後，由該法立法過程之意見蒐集可看出法規究係是否及如何定義「現代奴役」、獨立反奴役委員之設置、供應鏈之透明化、對被害者的援助及是否強制要求人權盡職調查等係為法律規範之考量重點，特別是人權盡職調查與獨立反奴役委員之設置尤需進行全面檢視及審酌。

Australia supported the introduction of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and subsequently co-sponsored the resolution that adopted the guiding principles. Within Australia, the Modern Slavery Act 2018 was passed by the federal government in 2018, becoming effective on 1 January 2019.
In general terms, the Modern Slavery Act requires Australian entities with consolidated annual revenue over $100 million to submit an annual modern slavery statement. The Act aims to enhance supply chain transparency, facilitate actions taken to tackle modern slavery, and provide due diligence and redress mechanisms. As an initial step towards fulfilling Australia’s business and human rights obligations, this approach of providing regulation through a legal reporting framework may have the advantage of causing less friction and making it easier to build consensus.
Prior to the Act’s enactment, conducted extensive public consultation was conducted by the Australian government. This proved to be a valuable process for facilitating dialogue among the stakeholders concerned. The core issues raised, relating to the Act’s drafting, included, amongst others, whether and how the term‘modern slavery’should be defined; the establishment of an independent slavery commissioner; transparency of supply chains; assistance for victims; and whether human rights due diligence should be made mandatory. The due diligence and independent commissioner were among the most contentious issues raised.