Religious leaders ask PM to act on slavery

Religious leaders have joined forces to call on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to introduce anti-slavery legislation.

Eighteen national leaders from the Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish faiths as part of the Australian Freedom Network wrote to Mr Turnbull on Friday asking him to introduce a modern slavery act.

They're calling for the establishment of an independent anti-slavery commissioner to protect the rights of those who might be exploited.

They're concerned about the welfare and human rights of thousands of migrant workers experiencing or at risk of forced labour in Australia.

Australia needs to adopt legislation to ensure business supply chains are transparent and free of unethical exploitation or slavery-like practices so consumers can be assured they're not supporting slave labour, they said.

"We believe it is vital Australian governments and businesses take all reasonable steps to ensure their procurement activities ensure the people producing the goods or services have decent jobs and are free from forced labour or human trafficking," the letter says.

Uniting Church president Stuart McMillan said a national conversation about a modern slavery act would help focus on the most vulnerable.

"Pressure for cheap goods and services, a growing workforce of temporary migrant workers and unregulated labour hire create an environment which is susceptible to the growth of modern slavery," he said.