Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Policy
Introduction Statement
SM UK is entirely opposed to any modern slavery or human trafficking, and is dedicated to ensuring that the practice is reported and stopped if any such occurrences should ever come to our attention. Slavery is a crime and abhorrent abuse of human rights of vulnerable workers. The crime can manifest itself in many ways and can take various forms such as slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. SM UK is deeply opposed to any manifestation of the above.
SM UK has a zero-tolerance approach to slavery and is committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all of our business dealings; and to implementing effective systems to ensure that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within either our business or our supply chains.
SM UK accepts that we have a responsibility through our due diligence process to ensure that workers are not being exploited, that they are safe and that relevant employment, health and safety and human rights laws and standards are being adhered to, including freedom of movement and communications.
The Directors of SM UK take responsibility for ensuring that all parts of SM UK’s business complies with the company’s legal and ethical obligations of modern slavery guidelines and legislation. Every member of SM UK’s organisation has a duty to make themselves aware of the modern slavery guidelines and legislation. It is the duty of all SM UK’s personnel to educate themselves on modern slavery and human trafficking, by available resources at www.modernslaveryhelpline.org and if they have any further questions they should be able to approach SM UK’s Directors.
SM UK’s employees are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of slavery in any part of SM UK’s business or any partners, suppliers or third parties that SM UK connects to.
The government’s Modern Slavery Helpline on 0800 0121 700 is available for further information and guidance. You can also find more information on www.modernslaveryhelpline.org
Training on this policy and on the risk that the business faces from modern slavery in its supply chains, will be provided to staff as necessary to enable them to know how to identify exploitation and how to report suspected cases.
Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors, and other business partners when entering into new or renewed contracts with them.
SM UK will terminate its relationship with suppliers, contractors and other business partners if they breach this policy and/or are found to have been involved in modern slavery. SM UK will report any concerns about modern slavery to the relevant authorities.
SM UK expects the same stands from all of its partners, suppliers and third parties. All SM UK’s employees have a responsibility to make themselves aware of modern slavery and human trafficking and has a duty to report any potential concerns to SM UK and/or the relevant authorities.
Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action which could lead to summary dismissal for gross misconduct.