There are calls for the government to introduce legislation tackling modern slavery in the Asia-Pacific Region.

There's estimates that tens of millions of workers in the region are in poor working conditions and they could be helping produce goods for New Zealand companies.

CEO of Kiwi clothing company Icebreaker Rob Fyfe has concerns that due to sub-contracting overseas, you don't really know what's going on behind the scenes.

Fyfe says modern slavery is a global problem, but its becoming a growing concern for New Zealand companies with supply chains in Asia.

He told Mike Hosking that Kiwi companies are relatively naive in thinking they don't have any issues in their supply chains due to sub-contracting.

"If I'm brutally honest, I know far more about how our sheep are treated here in New Zealand than I know about how our workers are treated in China for example."

He says it's time the government got up to speed with the rest of the world.

"The UK have introduced a modern slavery act which puts a whole series of demands on businesses to check the integrity of their supply chains. Australia is doing the same. We're way behind the eight-ball."

Fyfe will meet with government representatives today.

LISTEN TO ROB FYFE TALK WITH MIKE HOSKING ABOVE