Modern Slavery Act
Introduction
Saroia Staffing Services recognises that all businesses have an obligation to prevent slavery and human trafficking and will do all in its power to do this within its business and the supply chains through which it operates.
Modern slavery can take many forms including the trafficking of people, forced labour, servitude and slavery. As leading recruitment experts, we take our responsibility for supplying staff extremely seriously and are aware of the potential for being targeted by traffickers and unlicensed gangmasters. Our own processes around candidate engagement ensure our employees are alert to the signs of exploitation, in order that we may take the necessary action promptly and effectively, should it be identified. Sectors affected include, but are not limited to, construction & property, engineering & manufacturing and health & social care.
This statement focuses specifically on Saroia Staffing Services’ compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) and highlights the steps we take to ensure there is no slavery or human trafficking occurring within the organisation or its supply chains. One of our Company’s most valuable assets has always been its reputation for integrity and fairness. Maintaining this reputation within our market is an essential pre-requisite to our continued success.
Our Policies including on Slavery and Human Trafficking
Suppliers are expected to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes specific reference to the Act, and should have in place a policy recognising, respecting and protecting the human rights of their employees, those of their suppliers and business partners and the communities affected by the suppliers’ operations.
Employees should be free to choose to work for their employer and to leave the company upon reasonable notice.
All employees must be provided with a clear contract of employment, which complies with local legislation.
All employees must be treated in a fair and equal manner and with dignity and respect.
Any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of marital or civil partnership status, sex (including gender reassignment), race (including ethnic, national origin and nationality), disability, sexual orientation, having or not having dependents, religious belief or political opinion, age, trade union activity and offending background should be prohibited.
All applicable laws and industry standards on employee wages, benefits, working hours and minimum age should be adhered to in all countries of operation, without any unauthorised deductions. Suppliers should observe the provisions of the International Labour Organization such that any young persons under the age of 18 should not be employed to work at night or for any hazardous work and their employment should not harm the young person’s education, health or physical, mental, moral or social development. No young persons may be employed below the age of 16.
All slavery and human trafficking laws must be complied with including, but not limited to, the Act. Suppliers must ensure their business operations are free from slavery and human trafficking practices whether in the UK or elsewhere, both internally and within their supply chains and other external business relationships. We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.
Due Diligence Process for Slavery and Human Trafficking
Saroia Staffing Services ensure strict compliance checks are carried for all candidates it supplies. We verify the identity of each worker and their right to work before supply commences.
As part of our commitment to identify and eradicate slavery and human trafficking, we are undertaking due diligence on our supply chains to ensure compliance with legislative obligations and will continue and evolve this process in future years.
All Saroia Staffing Services employees have access to dedicated channels through which they may voice concerns, either through local reporting mechanisms or through the global whistleblowing procedure. Saroia Staffing Services is committed to protecting employees when disclosing malpractice and will ensure that all disclosures made in good faith will be treated confidentially and without fear of retaliation.
Any identified concerns regarding modern slavery and human trafficking would be escalated as part of the Saroia Staffing Services safeguarding process and in conjunction with the relevant agencies; such as the Local Authority and Police.
Saroia Staffing Services Statement regarding compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015
The Modern Slavery Act is described as:
"An act to make provision about slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour and about human trafficking, including provision for the protection of victims; to make provisions for an Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner; and for connected purposes (26/03/2015)’’
Transparency
Saroia adopts a transparent approach to the recruitment and placement of our candidates and fully complies with the Duty of Candour principles and the Modern Slavery Act 2015. Saroia has robust contracts and / or service level agreements with all supply chains which promote transparency between both parties. Any incidents of Modern Slavery and / or Human Trafficking are documented, investigated (if appropriate) and referred appropriately to the regulatory bodies in accordance with the Saroia Incidents Policy / Procedure and in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Current Risk
Saroia deems the risk of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking to be low in all parts of the business and believes that it is currently not occurring within the business, however Saroia continues to monitor and assess the potential risk and react appropriately. Saroia has taken steps to reduce the risk of the occurrence of Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking through:
Ensuring candidates have the correct right to work status and documents
Appropriate clearance is obtained (DBS, and Access NI)· Candidates are appropriately trained (including Safeguarding Adults)
Appropriately trained office staff
Policies and procedures in place
Awareness-raising of the signs of modern slavery and information on how to raise complaints within the company