Modern Slavery & Human Trafficking Statement
Last update: 07/02/2022
Here are the steps VIP World Services has taken and continues to take to understand and minimise the potential risk of modern slavery in its business and supply chains.
This statement is published in line with section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
About VIP World Services
VIP (Visually Impaired People) World, a company that dreams of designing solutions for 285 million visually impaired people across the world so that they can lead an inclusive, convenient, and prosperous life.
We design solutions for organisations that would like to make websites, mobile apps, or services inclusive for VIP by considering the WCAG accessibility standards and by user testing & getting feedback from the VIP World Community
Our commitment to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015
VIP World Services is committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the abolition of modern slavery and human trafficking.
As an equal opportunities employer, we're committed to creating and ensuring a non-discriminatory and respectful working environment for our staff. We want all our staff to feel confident that they can expose wrongdoing without any risk to themselves.
Our recruitment and people management processes are designed to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion.
We do not enter into business with any organisation, in the UK or abroad, which knowingly supports or is found to be involved in slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour.
Our supply chain
Due to the nature of our business, we assess ourselves to have a low risk of modern slavery in our business and supply chains.
Our supply chains are limited and we procure goods and services from a restricted range of UK and overseas suppliers, mainly through UK government frameworks.
The UK SBS (our shared services provider) has also published its statement on slavery and human trafficking. This includes mechanisms for guarding against modern slavery in its clients' supply chains.
Our policies in relation to the Modern Slavery Act 2015
The following policies are available to all staff through VIP World Services intranet:
Code of conduct
Ethics policy
Whistleblowing policy
Bullying and harassment policy
Diversity and inclusion policy
Recruitment and selection policy
Embedding the principles
We will continue to embed the principles through:
providing awareness training to staff on the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and informing them of the appropriate action to take if they suspect a case of slavery or human trafficking
ensuring staff involved in procurement activity are aware of and follow modern slavery procurement guidance on GOV.UK
ensuring that consideration of the modern slavery risks and prevention are added to Acas's policy review process as an employer and procurer of goods and services
making sure VIP World Services and UK SBS procurement strategies and contract terms and conditions include references to modern slavery and human trafficking
continuing to take action to embed a zero tolerance policy towards modern slavery
ensuring that staff involved in buying or procurement and the recruitment and deployment of workers receive training on modern slavery and ethical employment practices
The statement has been reviewed and approved by Ishan Jha, Director, VIP World Services for the financial year ending 31st March 2022.
If you encounter any contradictions to the policy stated above, please contact us.