By Brian Grim
It was great to reconnect with Matt and Sylvia Yu Friedman in Hong Kong. Matt is CEO of The Mekong Club, an organization that works tirelessly to support corporate members and partners in addressing modern slavery across countries and industries. I came away from our meeting with a renewed sense of the urgency of The Mekong Club’s work, a summary of which I’m thrilled to share below.
What if the products you sell or the services you deliver were linked to modern slavery — and you didn’t even know it? For millions of people trapped in forced labor and human trafficking, this isn’t a hypothetical. It’s reality. And for global businesses, the responsibility to act has never been greater.
Empowering Businesses to End Modern Slavery
Modern slavery is one of the most pressing human rights challenges of our time. From forced labor in supply chains to human trafficking across borders, millions remain trapped in exploitative conditions. For global businesses, addressing this issue is not only a moral imperative, it’s a strategic necessity. Consumers, investors, and regulators increasingly demand transparency and ethical practices. Companies that fail to act risk reputational damage and legal consequences.
That’s where The Mekong Club comes in. Based in Hong Kong, this pioneering organization partners with corporations to tackle modern slavery head-on. Founded by Matt Friedman, a leading voice in anti-trafficking efforts, The Mekong Club provides practical tools, training, and collaborative platforms that empower businesses to identify and eliminate slavery risks within their operations and supply chains.
What Makes The Mekong Club Unique?
Unlike many advocacy groups, The Mekong Club focuses on business-driven solutions. They understand that companies are uniquely positioned to influence change because of their reach and resources. Through their membership model, they bring together industry leaders to share best practices, develop innovative strategies, and create systemic impact.
Their approach includes:
- – Risk Assessment Tools: Helping companies map vulnerabilities in their supply chains.
- – Training Programs: Equipping employees with knowledge to spot and prevent exploitation.
- – Industry Working Groups: Facilitating collaboration across sectors to address common challenges.
- – Compliance Guidance: Supporting businesses in meeting international standards and legal requirements.
By combining expertise with actionable resources, The Mekong Club turns good intentions into measurable results.
Why Should Companies Engage?
Modern slavery is not confined to distant factories — it can lurk in any tier of a global supply chain. Partnering with The Mekong Club enables companies to:
- – Protect brand reputation and build consumer trust.
- – Ensure compliance with emerging regulations on human rights and due diligence.
- – Contribute to a global movement that aligns business success with social responsibility.
As Matt Friedman often emphasizes, “Businesses are not the problem — they are the solution.” By leveraging their influence, companies can help dismantle systems of exploitation and create pathways to freedom for millions.
Call-to-Action
If your organization is committed to ethical practices and sustainability, The Mekong Club is an invaluable partner. Visit here to learn more about their mission and explore membership opportunities. Together, we can transform industries, protect human dignity, and make modern slavery a thing of the past.