M1- Modern Slavery Act

This policy is designed to clarify and provide guidance on Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd.’s position on preventing and prohibiting modern slavery, in accordance with the modern slavery act 2015.

 

General principles

The act came into effect from October 2015. Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. is committed to a work environment that is free from human trafficking, forced labour and unlawful child labour (collectively ‘human trafficking and slavery’). Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. believes that it has a responsibility to promote ethical and lawful employment practices.

Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. will not knowingly use unlawful child labour or forced labour in any of the utilities and/or other commodities, products and/or services it provides, nor will it knowingly accept commodities, products and/or services from suppliers that employ or utilise child labour or forced labour.

This policy sets out the high standards of behaviour and integrity that Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. requires from its employees in relation to the Modern Slavery Act 2015 to prevent slavery and human trafficking. Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. also requires its suppliers and contractors to respect and follow this policy statement as a core term of any contracts that they may have with any member organisation or business supply chains

Rationale

Human trafficking and slavery are crimes under UK and international law. These crimes exist in countries throughout the world. This policy statement defines Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd.’s commitment to ensuring that human trafficking and slavery does not exist within its own business, but also details how Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. will make efforts to eradicate the same from other businesses with whom it shall maintain a relationship. Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. will take appropriate steps to ensure not only its own compliance but also that these requirements are followed by its suppliers, subcontractors and/or business partners (collectively by it ‘Suppliers’).

Definitions

Human Trafficking: The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.

Forced Labour: All work or service, not voluntarily performed, that is obtained from an individual under the threat of force or penalty.

Harmful Child Labour: Consists of the employment of children that is economically exploitative, or is likely to be hazardous to, or interfere with, the child’s education, or to be harmful to the child’s health, or physical, mental, spiritual, moral, or social development.

Process and Due Diligence

Every employee will: –

Retain complete control over their personal documents. Passport, Driving Licence & National insurance documents.

Be paid on time, directly and in legal tender.

Will have payslips that accurately detail the hours they have worked and the rates which they have been paid.

Have access to the employee handbook detailing our terms and conditions of employment.

Be entitled to the national minimum wage.

Have access to regular training.

Have a safe workplace.

Be free to refuse or cease work.

Action by the company

Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd. will fully investigate any instances of alleged or suspected breaches of the Modern Slavery Act and take action as appropriate.

The company may terminate the contracts of any associated persons, including consultants or other workers who act for, or on behalf of, the Company, who are found to have breached this policy.

We may also report any matter to the relevant authorities, including the The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, the director of public prosecutions, revenue and customs prosecutions office and the police. We will provide all necessary assistance to the relevant authorities in any subsequent prosecution.

Invicta Couriers (South) Ltd.  reviews all policies and procedures periodically to reflect changes in legislation and good practice.