Anti-Slavery statement on behalf of RNIB
- Opening statement
RNIB recognises that modern slavery is both an extremely serious crime and agrave violation of human rights and human dignity, and exists in a wide variety of forms,including forced and bonded labour, child slavery, early and forced marriageand all forms of trafficking in persons. Whilst they are exploited and abused in many different ways, all victimsshare one defining experience – a loss of freedom.
RNIB is committed to preventing acts of modern slavery and human trafficking from occurring within both its business and supply chain, and supports its Procurement teams work to prohibit this behaviour through our supply chain.
To do this RNIB applies a zero tolerance approach and will not appoint or work with any supplier who cannot demonstrate the same high level of commitment to this policy that RNIB applies, and we fully support the investigation and reporting of any supplier found to be in breach of our policy and approach to anti-slavery and human trafficking.
Signed by:
Date:
- Organisation Structure
As the UK’s leading sight loss Charity, employing 2500 people, and supported by 4,800 volunteers we provide support and advice to blind and partially sighted people in the UK. With a turnover of around £119 million we provide a wide range of diverse goods and services sourced through our global supply chain including: China, India, USA, Canada, Norway, Europe and the UK.RNIB fully supports the Modern Slavery Act and takes its role in ensuring that its supply chain is assessed and thoroughly checked to ensure that it is slavery free seriously
To find out more about the nature of our business, please click here:
- Policies
As part of our commitment to combating modern slavery, we have implemented the following policies within our organisation:
Our Anti-Slavery Policy can be found at: (Link needed to be agreed)
Our Supplier Code of conduct can be found at: (Link needed to be agreed)
We also make sure that our suppliers are aware of our policies, and adhere to the same highstandards.
- Our due diligence
As part of our efforts to monitor and reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring within our supply chains, we have adopted the following due diligence procedures:
- Ensure any new contractor or supplier provides confirmation of their compliance with the Act.
- Seek compliance through our procurement process with potential suppliers to the act;
- Review our supply chain on an ongoing/annual basis to ensure that continued compliance is achieved:
- Ensure that all contracts with our suppliers reflect agreement and compliance with this act, and,
- Take appropriate reporting steps if we suspect any evidence of slavery or human trafficking has arisen in our supply chain.
These procedures are designed to:
- Establish and assess areas of potential risk in our business and supply chains;
- Monitor potential risk areas in our business and supply chains;
- Reduce the risk of slavery and human trafficking occurring in our business and supply chains;
Provide adequate protection for whistle blowers.
- Risk and Compliance
We ensure that all our suppliers adhere to our Anti-Slavery policy and our “Supplier Code of Conduct”. We enforce a strict code of compliance and do not tolerate slavery and human trafficking within our supply chains. If we should find evidence of a failure to comply with our policies, or a breach of this Code of Conduct we will try to work with them to improve standards and employee welfare. However, we reserve the right to terminate an arrangement with any Supplier immediately for appropriate transgressions or where there is no willingness to make the necessary improvements.
- Training
Our policies and statements are available on our intranet and website. Staff must familiarise themselves with this policy, our supplier code of conduct and our anti-slavery statement. Specific training on eradicating slave labour or human trafficking is available to relevant members of staff on Ethics & Anti-Slavery approach to our supply chain. Any queries or questions must be directed to the procurement team who will be happy to assist.
- Further actions and sign off
Following RNIB's review of our actions this financial year to prevent slavery or human trafficking from occurring in our business or supply chains, we intend to take the followingfurther steps to tackle slavery and human trafficking:
- Instigate and reinforce our Anti-slavery policy
- Review and monitor our supply chain for compliance with the act
- Instigate a compulsory “Supplier Code of Conduct”
This statement is made in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 andconstitutes RNIB’s slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year commencing April 2015and ending March 2016
Signature:
Director/Member/General Partner/Partner
RNIB
Date:
Adopted November 2015
Chris Day
Group Procurement Manager
RNIB