Modern slavery is the exploitation of people through coercion, deception or abuse of vulnerability – and it includes practices such as forced labour, debt bondage, child labour or people being trapped in unsafe working conditions with little or no control over their lives.  

It can all feel far removed from everyday life, but it affects real people in real communities across global supply chains. But global investment markets and supply chains are deeply connected, which means investors have a role to play in identifying modern slavery risks and using their influence to help address them. 

That’s why our parent company, Future Group, has joined Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking Asia Pacific (IAST APAC), an investor-led initiative working to improve how companies identify, address and prevent modern slavery, labour exploitation and human trafficking. 

IAST APAC brings investors together to engage with companies across the Asia-Pacific region and advocate for stronger approaches to modern slavery. Its members collectively manage around $12 trillion in assets. In other words, it’s collective investor power at work. 

Why modern slavery is an investment risk 

Almost 50 million people globally are estimated to be living in modern slavery, including more than 29 million people in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Beyond the devastating human cost, modern slavery can expose companies and their investors to serious risks. Poor labour practices and weak oversight of supply chains can contribute to disruption, regulatory action and reputational damage. 

For long-term investors, understanding these sustainability-related risks is part of understanding the businesses and systems we invest in. 

That’s where stewardship comes in. 

Stewardship is one of the tools used by Future Group Investment Management, Future Super’s investment manager, to manage sustainability-related risks and opportunities. It can include engaging with companies, working collaboratively with other investors and contributing to policy discussions. 

Through IAST APAC, Future Group can work alongside other investors to encourage companies to strengthen human rights due diligence, improve modern slavery reporting and develop better approaches to preventing and addressing harm. 

More voices can carry further 

Joining IAST APAC builds on work Future Group is already doing in this area. 

In June 2026, our parent company joined more than 100 investors, businesses, unions, civil society organisations, academics and survivor advocates calling for stronger Australian modern slavery laws. 

The group called for Australia’s Modern Slavery Act to better align with international standards and introduce risk-based due diligence requirements for reporting companies. 

IAST APAC gives us another way to participate in this work, this time alongside a network of investors focused specifically on modern slavery and human trafficking. By working together, investors can share expertise, raise expectations and use a stronger collective voice. 

It’s another example of how sustainable investing goes beyond deciding what to buy or sell. Research, screening and stewardship are all ways to help investors better understand long-term risks and opportunities. 

FAQs

What is IAST APAC? 

Investors Against Slavery and Trafficking Asia Pacific is an investor-led initiative established to encourage companies across the region to find, fix and prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chains. 

Has Future Super joined IAST APAC? 

Our parent company, Future Group, is publicly listed as an IAST APAC member. Future Group Investment Management, which manages investments for Future Super, is the legal participant in the initiative. 

What does membership in IAST APAC involve? 

IAST APAC members participate in at least one of its two workstreams: company engagement or investor advocacy. Future Group’s participation provides opportunities to collaborate with other investors on company engagement and modern slavery policy issues.