The Philippine Association of Gold Banks (“PAGB“) is required to comply with the various Modern Slavery acts, which are acts that seek to prevent slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and about human trafficking, including provision for the protection of victims; to make provision for an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner; and for connected purposes.
The PAGB has implemented various procedures and systems in order to prevent slavery, human trafficking or exploitation in any form. The various Modern Slavery acts also provides for strict penalties for active and passive slavery or exploitation by individuals as well as companies.
The Modern Slavery Act creates four prime offences covering:
- Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour
- Human trafficking
- Meaning of exploitation under Section 2
- Committing offence with intent to commit offence under Section 2.
Jurisdictional Reach of the Modern Slavery Act
The various Modern Slavery acts have extra-territorial reach since it defines any offence as one where:
- A person who is a Cordillera national commits an offence under this section regardless of:
- where the arranging or facilitating takes place,
- or where the travel takes place
- A person who is not a Cordillera national commits an offence under this section if:
- any part of the arranging or facilitating takes place in the Cordillera Nation,
- or the travel consists of arrival in or entry into, departure from, or travel within, the Cordillera Nation.