Modern Day Slavery Policy
At Kingston Trading (UK) LTD T/A Kingston Distro (“we,” “us,” or “our”), we are committed to ensuring that our business operates in an ethical and responsible manner. We do not tolerate any form of modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, or exploitation in our operations or supply chain. This Modern Day Slavery Policy outlines our commitment to preventing these practices and ensuring the protection of human rights.
1. Purpose and Scope
The purpose of this policy is to:
- Clearly state our commitment to preventing modern slavery within our business operations and supply chains.
- Outline the steps we take to mitigate the risk of modern slavery and exploitation in our supply chains.
- Comply with applicable legal requirements, including the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and other international standards.
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, suppliers, and other third-party partners involved in our business.
2. What is Modern Slavery?
Modern slavery includes:
- Human trafficking: The illegal trade of humans for the purposes of forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of exploitation.
- Forced labor: Any work or service that is coerced through violence, threats, or deception, and for which the worker is not free to leave.
- Child labor: Any work or service performed by a person under the minimum legal working age.
- Debt bondage: The condition where individuals are forced to work to repay debts under unfair or exploitative terms.
- Involuntary servitude: Any work or service that is forced or obtained by coercion or fraud.
3. Our Commitment
We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to prevent modern slavery from occurring in any part of our business or supply chain.
4. Our Actions and Due Diligence
To reduce the risk of modern slavery in our business and supply chains, we take the following actions:
- Supplier Vetting and Compliance: We require all of our suppliers to adhere to ethical labor practices and comply with applicable local and international laws, including those prohibiting modern slavery. We conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure that our suppliers meet these standards.
- Employee Awareness: We provide training and awareness programs to our employees, especially those involved in procurement and supplier management, to help them identify and report signs of modern slavery or exploitation.
- Contractual Obligations: We include specific clauses in our supplier contracts requiring them to comply with modern slavery laws and confirm that they do not engage in or support modern slavery in any form.
- Risk Assessment: We assess and evaluate the risk of modern slavery within our supply chain, particularly in regions where labor laws may be less robust. We focus on industries and geographies that are at higher risk for modern slavery practices.
- Whistleblowing: We maintain a confidential reporting system for employees, suppliers, and other stakeholders to report any concerns related to modern slavery without fear of retaliation.
5. Supplier Requirements
We expect our suppliers and contractors to:
- Adhere to all local labor laws and regulations related to employment and human rights.
- Ensure that all workers are employed voluntarily, and their wages and working conditions meet or exceed legal standards.
- Avoid the use of child labor, forced labor, or any form of involuntary servitude.
- Provide safe working conditions and comply with health and safety regulations.
- Maintain transparent, accurate records regarding employment practices and allow us access to these records for audit purposes if necessary.
6. Monitoring and Compliance
We monitor compliance with this policy through:
- Regular Audits: We conduct periodic audits of our suppliers and contractors to ensure compliance with our ethical standards and this policy.
- Annual Reporting: We provide an annual statement on our efforts to address modern slavery within our operations and supply chains, in line with regulatory requirements.
- Internal Reviews: We regularly review our policies and procedures to identify any potential weaknesses or gaps in preventing modern slavery and take corrective actions when necessary.
7. Reporting Concerns
If you believe that modern slavery or human trafficking is occurring in any part of our operations or supply chain, we encourage you to report your concerns. You can report concerns via:
- Email: info@kingstondistro.co.uk
We are committed to investigating all concerns thoroughly and taking appropriate action to address any identified issues.
8. Consequences of Non-Compliance
Any employee, supplier, or partner found to be in violation of this policy or engaging in modern slavery practices will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment or contracts, as well as legal action. We will also take steps to sever business relationships with suppliers or contractors found to be involved in modern slavery.
9. Policy Review
We regularly review and update this Modern Day Slavery Policy to ensure its effectiveness and relevance. Changes will be communicated to all employees, suppliers, and stakeholders.
10. Contact Information
For more information or if you have any questions about this policy, please contact us at:
Kingston Trading (UK) LTD, Site A Wiltshire Road, Dairycoats Industrial Estate, Hull, East Yorkshire, HU4 6PA, United Kingdom
Email: info@kingstondistro.co.uk