At [Your Company Name], we are committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards in our business operations. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms. This statement outlines the steps we take to ensure that slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking are not taking place within our business or in our supply chain.
Our Commitment
We recognize that modern slavery, including forced labor, child labor, and human trafficking, is a serious issue that affects millions of people around the world. We are committed to preventing modern slavery in all its forms by ensuring transparency, accountability, and ethical practices throughout our operations and supply chain.
Organizational Structure and Business Activities
[Your Company Name] operates in [describe your industry, e.g., retail, e-commerce, manufacturing] and sources products from various suppliers both in the UK and internationally. We have a diverse supply chain, and we recognize the importance of ensuring that slavery and human trafficking are not present at any stage.
Supply Chain Due Diligence
We understand the risks of modern slavery in our supply chain and are committed to identifying and addressing these risks through due diligence. Our supply chain includes [list key suppliers or sectors], and we undertake the following actions to manage and reduce the risk of modern slavery:
- Supplier Code of Conduct: We require all suppliers and contractors to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which explicitly prohibits the use of forced labor, child labor, and any form of human trafficking. We expect our suppliers to comply with local laws and international standards relating to human rights and labor practices.
- Supplier Audits and Assessments: We conduct regular audits and risk assessments of our suppliers to ensure compliance with our policies. Where necessary, we will take corrective actions to address any issues related to modern slavery.
- Training and Awareness: We provide training to our employees on how to identify signs of modern slavery and human trafficking. This includes how to report concerns and support those affected by these issues.
Policies and Procedures
We have implemented several policies and procedures to help identify and address modern slavery risks:
- Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Policy: This policy sets out our commitment to preventing modern slavery in all forms and provides a framework for employees and suppliers to report concerns.
- Whistleblowing Policy: We have a whistleblowing policy in place that allows employees, suppliers, and others to confidentially report any concerns regarding modern slavery or unethical practices without fear of retaliation.
Risk and Compliance
We assess the risk of modern slavery in the sectors where we operate and the countries from which we source our products. We recognize that there may be higher risks in certain regions, particularly where labor laws are not as robust or enforcement mechanisms are weaker.
We have a dedicated compliance team that works to monitor, assess, and manage risks related to modern slavery. This team also ensures that the company’s practices comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and other relevant legislation.
Our Actions to Combat Modern Slavery
- Engagement with stakeholders: We work with our stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and customers, to raise awareness about modern slavery and encourage responsible sourcing practices.
- Continuous Improvement: We continue to review and improve our practices, policies, and procedures to ensure we are effectively combating modern slavery in our operations and supply chain.
- Collaboration with NGOs: We collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other entities working on the prevention of modern slavery to ensure we are aligned with global efforts to tackle the issue.
Our Performance
We regularly monitor and review our performance in addressing modern slavery risks. This includes:
- Tracking the number of audits conducted across our supply chain.
- Reviewing supplier compliance with our policies.
- Reporting on any instances of modern slavery detected and the actions taken.
Looking Forward
We are committed to continuing to improve our practices and to take proactive steps to combat modern slavery. We will continue to review and update our policies and work collaboratively with our suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders to ensure that we uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct in all our operations.
Approval and Review
This Modern Slavery Statement is approved by [Your Company Name]’s board of directors and is reviewed annually. We remain committed to preventing modern slavery in all its forms.
[Your Company Name]
[Date]
