Modern Slavery Policy

This statement is made pursuant of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Akona has taken and is continuing to take to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain.  Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour.

 

Akona has a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business or our supply chain.

Akona operates a supplier policy and maintains a preferred supplier list.  We conduct due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier.  This due diligence includes an online search to ensure that particular organisation has never been convicted of offenses relating to modern slavery Our anti-slavery policy forms part of our contract with all suppliers and they are required to confirm that no part of their business operations contradicts this policy.

In addition to the above, as part of our contract with suppliers, we require that they confirm to us that:

  1. They have taken steps to eradicate modern slavery within their business
  2. They hold their own suppliers to account over modern slavery
  3. (For UK based suppliers) They pay their employees at least the national minimum wage / national living wage (as appropriate)
  4. (For international suppliers) They pay their employees any prevailing minimum wage applicable within their country of operations
  5. We may terminate the contract at any time should any instances of modern slavery come to light.

Compliance with the Policy

We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any part of our supply chain.  If you believe that you have suffered any such treatment, you should inform management immediately.

Communication and Awareness of the Policy

Training on this policy, and on the risk our business faces from modern slavery in its supply chain will be given where needed.  Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery will be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and business partners at the outset of our business relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.

Breaches of this Policy

Any employee who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct. Akona will terminate our relationship with other individuals and organisations working on our behalf if they breach this policy.

This policy will be reviewed annually as part of the management review process, to ensure its continued relevance and adequacy.

 

 

Stephen Ashley

Managing Director