Unfree Labour and the Capitalist State: An Open Marxist Analysis of the 2015 Modern Slavery Act

The Modern Slavery Act was passed in 2015, ostensibly to tackle exploitation. Despite being promoted for its ‘world-leading’ qualities, the legislation’s weaknesses have, even at this relatively early stage of implementation, been well documented. This is unsurprising; legislators were aware they passing a bill that could have had stronger enforcement mechanisms, opting instead weaker alternative. article takes these shortcomings as starting point ask who, or what, benefits from Act, if not those it purportedly aimed help. response main beneficiaries are capitalism, and Conservative government created bill. operates through modern slavery discourse positions unfree forms labour aberrations operate outside once practices framed way, capitalist free market identified causal factor but solution. In addition, used domestically counterpoint hostile environment policy soften their image part electorate. When viewed an artefact thinking state management, becomes clear makes insignificant contribution legitimacy both capitalism by conferring upon them degree routes which will be liberated.