Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

 

This statement is pursuant to section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes Stonepack Ltd Slavery and Human Trafficking statement for 2023/2024 financial year, which ended on 29 February 2024. It will be reviewed annually.

 

Introduction

Modern Slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights.  Stonepack Ltd has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business we conduct.  We are committed to implementing effective controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our business or our supply chains.

Definitions – most common types of human slavery are:

  • Human trafficking. The use of violence, threats or coercion to transport, recruit, or harbour people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, labour, criminality, marriage or organ removal
  • Forced labour. Any work or services people are forced to do against their will, usually under threat of punishment
  • Debt bondage/bonded labour. The world’s most widespread form of slavery. People trapped in poverty borrow money and are forced to work to pay off the debt, losing control over both their employment conditions and the debt
  • Descent–based slavery (where people are born into slavery). A very old form of slavery, where people are treated as property, and their “slave” status has been passed down the maternal line.
  • Child slavery. When a child is exploited for someone else’s gain. This can include child trafficking, child soldiers, child marriage and child domestic slavery
  • Forced and early marriage. When someone is married against their will and cannot leave. Most child marriages can be considered slavery
  • Domestic servitude. Domestic work and domestic servitude are not always slavery, and when properly regulated can be an important source of income for many people. However, when someone is working in another person’s home, they may be particularly vulnerable to abuses, exploitation, and slavery, as they might be hidden from sight and lack legal protection.

 

People may end up trapped in slavery because they are vulnerable to being tricked, trapped and exploited, often as a result of poverty and exclusion and because laws do not properly protect them. They can be vulnerable to modern slavery when external circumstances push them into taking risky decisions in search of opportunities to provide for their families, or when people find they are simply pushed into jobs in exploitative conditions. Anyone could be pressed into forced labour, but people in vulnerable situations – such as being in debt, or not having access to their passport – are most at risk.

 

Organisational Structure

Stonepack Ltd is a family run business established in March 2006 .

We supply multifunctional renders, dry dashing spars, decorative gravel, sands to the construction and landscaping industry.

Policy and Values

This Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement articulates Stonepack’s commitment to implement and enforce systems and controls to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place anywhere in our business or supply chains.

Our Supply Chain

To allow us to identify and reduce risk we build long standing relationships with our suppliers and sub-contractors.

Any new businesses who supply us with goods and services will be required to demonstrate how they are complying with their obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and ensuring slavery and human trafficking is not taking place within their business. They will be asked to provide a copy of their policy, in the absence of one they will be asked to adopt our policy.  Stonepack Ltd will not continue to purchase goods or services from any supplier that is found to be engaging slavery or in human trafficking and we will report known or suspected modern slavery or trafficking by contacting Modern Slavery Helpline on 08000 121 700 or will phone the police on 101.

 

Raising Awareness Within Our Workforce

All staff have undergone a structured digital induction process to spot the signs of human slavery.

New staff will also complete this e learning presentation as part of their induction when joining our company.

We encourage any staff member if they have any concerns to contact their Line Manager

 

Recruitment

Stonepack Ltd operates with robust recruitment processes in line with UK employment laws, including eligibility checks and contracts of employment. If we use any agencies for temporary staff we will ask them for their policy or ask them to adopt ours.

In line with our obligations under the Moden Slavery Act 2015 we will continue to develop our people and procurement policies to ensure our commitment is embedded in everything we do.

 

Anna Thomas

Director   Stonepack Ltd

Date August 2024