VOHKUS LIMITED
SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT

Vohkus Limited strictly prohibits the use of modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chain. We have and will continue to be committed to implementing systems and controls aimed at ensuring that modern slavery is not taking place anywhere within our organisation or in any of our supply chains.

WHAT IS MODERN SLAVERY?

Modern slavery is an international crime affecting an estimated 29.8 million people around the world. It is a violation of fundamental human rights and transcends age, gender and ethnicites, including here in the UK. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour, bonded labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. A person is considered to be a victim if they are;

• Forced to work through mental or physical threat.
• Dehumanised, treated as a commodity or owned.
• Physically constrained or restricted from freedom of movement.

REQUIREMENTS UNDER THE MODERN SLAVERY ACT 2015

Companies with a turnover exceeding £36m must produce a statement for each financial year listing the steps to ensure that neither slavery or human trafficking are taking place in any part of its business including supply chain. This statement must be signed by a director, member or partner and published on the organisaton’s website with a prominent link on the homepage.

WHAT STEPS ARE WE TAKING AT VOHKUS

Vohkus has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships. We will take all practical and reasonable steps to ensure that that modern slavery is not present in our supply chain and request that our key supply trading partners think about the steps that they can take to provide us with assurance that;

• Modern slavery is not present in their company.
• The risks within their supply chain are understood.

When sourcing from non EU/EFTA countries, we expect our suppliers to comply with the ETI Base Code as we consider these to be at greatest risk. The ETI Base Code ensures;

• Employment is freely chosen.
• Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected.
• Working conditions are safe and hygienic.
• Child labour shall not be used.
• Living wages are paid.
• Working hours are not excessive.
• No discrimination is practiced.
• Regular employment is provided.
• No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed.
• External resource/publications

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/modern-slavery-industry-factsheets
http://www.cips.org/en-GB/Supply-Management/News/2015/October/Guide-to-compliance-with-Modern-Slavery-Act-published-byUK-government/
http://www.ethicaltrade.org/et-base-code