Modern Slavery Act Transparency Statement
MODERN SLAVERY ACT
Introduction
This policy is made in accordance with Section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps we have taken to ensure that our business as well as our supply chains are free from slavery and human trafficking during the financial year ending 2021. We are committed to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking occurring in any of our corporate activities. As a professional organisation we ensure that all our business relationships familiarise themselves with this policy and to act in a way that is consistent with its values. Our aim is to work with organisations who fully comply with this policy or those who are taking verifiable steps towards compliance.
Our organisation structure and operations
TR Lawman Ltd. is a privately owned Group of companies, referred to in this policy as (the ‘Group’) We are a British manufacturer and distributor of structural footwear components and materials, serving customers in several countries and employing over 20 employees.
What do we mean by modern slavery?
Modern slavery can take many forms. It is a complex and multi-faceted problem. The Modern Slavery Act 2015 covers four key criminal activities:
Slavery: where ownership is exercised over an individual.
Servitude: involves the obligation to provide service imposed by coercion.
Forced and compulsory labour: all work or service, not voluntarily performed, which is obtained from an individual under the threat of force or penalty.
Human trafficking: involves arranging or facilitating the travel of another with a view to exploiting them.
Other forms of modern slavery, which we will not tolerate, but are not specifically referenced in the Modern Slavery Act 2015 include, but are not limited to:
Child labour: whilst not always illegal in the jurisdiction in which it takes places, child labour involves the employment of children that is exploitative, or is likely to be hazardous to, or interfere with, a child’s education, health (including mental health), physical wellbeing or social development.
All forms of modern slavery have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another to exploit them for commercial or personal gain and amount to a violation of an individual’s fundamental human rights.
Tackling modern slavery requires us all to play a part and remain vigilant to the risk in all aspect of our business and business relationships.
How we seek to embed our modern slavery policy in practice
To underpin our policy commitments, we aim to implement the following measures:
Where appropriate, we will undertake pre-screening of existing and prospective suppliers in relation to the effectiveness of their safeguarding controls and practices including, but not limited to those in relation to preventing modern slavery occurring within their organisation.
Our contractual documentation will incorporate specific prohibition against slavery or servitude, the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour and the use of child labour in line with this policy. We reserve the right to terminate any contractual arrangement if there is breach of this policy.
Responsibility for this policy
The board of directors has overall responsibility for this policy and in ensuring that the Group complies with all its legal and ethical obligations.
The Ethics Compliance Committee (‘ECC’) will have the primary dayto-day responsibility for the implementation of this policy, monitoring its use and ensuring that the appropriate processes and control systems are in place, and amended as appropriate, to ensure it can operate effectively.
All line managers are responsible for ensuring that those reporting directly to them comply with the provisions of this policy in the day to day performance of their roles.
Communication and employee awareness training
The ECC will ensure that staff receive adequate training on this policy and any supporting processes applicable to their role. Such training forms part of the Group’s induction processes. In addition, staff will receive training on the broader issues of modern slavery to assist them in appreciating the extent of the problem and to identify individuals and areas of the business that may be at risk from practices of modern slavery.
Further action
We aim to take further action in 2022 by incorporating this policy to our Employee Handbook.
Status of this policy
This policy will be reviewed by the Group’s Board of Directors on a regular basis at least annually in line with the end of our financial year.
It does not give contractual rights to employees and we reserve the right to alter any of its terms at any time. We will notify applicable parties in writing of any changes which may affect them.
Approval
This policy has been approved and signed by a Company director. A copy of the signed policy is available upon request.