Human Rights Working Group | Session 1: FWA, ERA & Worker Approaches
The BRC Human Rights Working Group is re-starting in July 2026. Find out more information below, including how to register.
The BRC Human Rights Working Group (HR WG) is re-starting in July 2026.
About the Human Rights Working Group
Purpose
The HR WG is a pre-competitive, Chatham House forum for human rights and ethical trade leads across various retail sub-sectors to:
- Hear UK policy and regulatory updates from BRC and/or officials
- Discuss views, questions and challenges regarding incoming policy developments across the UK and EU, and where appropriate, feed in views to inform BRC conversations with Government
- Hear from industry experts on key issues and topics, and share best practice, approaches and learnings with cross-sub-sector retail peers
Format
x3 online meetings per year, beginning July 2026
The session will feature:
Update from the Fair Work Agency (FWA)
Regarding changes to the enforcement landscape for serious labour exploitation and modern slavery across the UK market
Overview of the UK Employment Rights Act (ERA)
Diving into the evolving context for worker rights and representation as the ERA is implemented by industry and Government
In-depth exploration into industry best practice
Regarding worker-centred approaches to identifying harms (grievance mechanisms, worker engagement, freedom of association (FOA))
Draft Agenda
09:30 | Introduction to the HR WG
09:40 | FWA Update & Member Discussion on UK enforcement and investigation landscape
10:10 | BRC Update on worker rights & representation under the UK Employment Rights Act
10:20 | ETI Presentation & Member Discussion on worker-centred engagement approaches
10:55 | Next Steps & Close
Full agenda to be shared two weeks prior to the session
Email Lou to register
Lou Sherry
Policy Executive - Sustainability | BRC
Lou leads on environmental and ethical sourcing policy and the BRC's Plan for Nature programme.
louise.sherry@brc.org.ukJoin Communities for invites to events like this
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