Increasing workplace automation will result in rising numbers of Southeast Asian workers being pushed into modern slavery, according to a new report from risk consultancy firm Verisk Maplecroft.

The company’s Human Rights Outlook study forecasts that as Southeast Asian supply chains embrace robot manufacturing, workers in the region will face a greater threat from human traffickers unless local governments swiftly intervene to take preventative action.

Over the next two decades, the UN International Labour Organisation has forecast that 56% of workers in major manufacturing centres in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam could lose their jobs.

Noting how these countries are rated as “high risk” on its Modern Slavery Index, Verisk Maplecroft warns that these nations are facing a particularly raised threat from workplace automation and robot manufacturing as a consequence of the high levels of low-skilled jobs in their economies, and existing employment rights violations.

While stressing that the region’s manufacturing hubs will not be alone in facing the challenges posed by workplace automation and robot manufacturing, Verisk Maplecroft singles out Southeast Asia due to its importance to the global supply chains of multinational companies operating in the consumer goods, retail, hospitality and ICT sectors.

According to the study, Vietnam faces the highest threat from automation of the five countries the research covers, with 36 million workers expected to become unemployed there as a result of robot manufacturing.

The report cites the Southeast Asian garment, textile and footwear industry as being at particular risk from automation, adding that workers in farming, forestry and fishing, manufacturing, construction, retail and hospitality are also facing a major threat.

Dr Alexandra Channer, Verisk Maplecroft’s Head of Human Rights, said: “Displaced workers without the skills to adapt or the cushion of social security will have to compete for a diminishing supply of low-paid, low-skilled work in what will likely be an increasingly exploitative environment.

“Without concrete measures from governments to adapt and educate future generations to function alongside machines, it could be a race to the bottom for many workers.

“The adoption of automation technologies by companies will be gradual, but the unintended consequences for millions of workers in brand supply chains is likely to be severe.

“Responsible sourcing departments, in particular, need to identify and understand the adverse effects of automation on human rights, and work with civil society and governments to mitigate the impacts within their own supply chains.”