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Modern Slavery

  |  Modern Slavery

MODERN SLAVERY & HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Introduction

At Magna Specialist Confectioners, we have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and are fully committed to preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operation. We have taken steps to tackle modern slavery, as outlined below. This statement sets out the actions that we have taken to understand all potential modern slavery risks related to our business, and to implement steps to prevent slavery and human trafficking during the financial year 2022. This statement is made in accordance with section 54 (1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015

Our business and supply chains

  • We are Europe’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of chocolate hollow moulded products with an annual turnover of £110 million. We supply major confectionary companies from one manufacturing facility with all supply chain, administrative & operations based at Telford, Shropshire, TF3 3BH.
  • We work with a small number of suppliers, principally involving services, including contract engineering, engineering parts & equipment, cleaning services. All other suppliers are directed by our customers.
  • Our customers have made significant progress in their global supply chains; however, we recognise our responsibility to ensure we stay abreast of their continued progress and improvement in their supply chains.

Risk assessment

As previously stated our suppliers are directed by our customers giving us limited control over the supply chain. However all suppliers have their own internal controls and policies .

Due to the seasonal nature of our business and the high intake of employees every effort is made to ensure that all prospective employees are legally entitled to work in the UK and to safeguard employees from any abuse or coercion. Magna Specialist Confectioners is at a low risk to trafficking and slavery due to the multiple steps put in place during the recruitment process.

Magna over the past year have taken the following steps to reduce the risk :

  • Ensure no agency staff are used and employed within Magna, we continue to prioritise recruiting new employees rather than an agency, continuing with our in-house resource team.
  • Continue to review the levels of recalls, staff that return from previous seasons, the recall rate currently for this financial year is 72%, this reduces the risk

Enhanced communication

To increase the ability of our colleagues to raise concerns through other avenues other than the conventional methods of face to face, phone communications, we have created electronic communications through a Magna app, this is available to all employees. We continue to give access to a member of HR to all employees for each shift pattern, should they wish to discuss any matters face to face rather than messages.

Policies

Magna Specialist Confectioners operates the following policies for identifying and preventing slavery and human trafficking in our operations:

  • Whistleblowing Policy – we encourage all employees to report any suspicion of slavery or human trafficking without fear of retaliation. We provide a confidential helpline to protect the identity of whistle-blowers 0800 8030135. The whistleblowing service is available 24/7, while concerns have been raised, none have been related to potential modern slavery cases in the last 12 months.
  • Code of Conduct – our code, found in the staff handbook, encourages employees to do the right thing by clearly stating the actions and behaviour expected of them when representing the business. We strive to maintain the highest standards of employee conduct and ethical behaviour when operating.
  • Supplier Code of conduct -Supplier pre-approval process alongside financial and food safety considerations, Ethical practice is an essential part of this code and we make it clear that supplier need to meet or expectations.

Awareness

Magna Specialist Confectioners has raised awareness of modern slavery issues by putting up posters in the communal facilities, included a section on modern slavery in our mental health course and sending an email that is focused specifically on modern slavery to all team leaders, supervisors and recruiters which explains:

  • Our commitment in the fight against modern slavery
  • Red flags for potential cases of slavery or human trafficking
  • How employees should report suspicions of modern slavery

Training

In addition to the awareness programme, All team leaders and supervisors have attended the training course to ensure awareness, any new team leaders and supervisors will attend the course within the first year of employment.  This is ran as part of our mental health first aid course that covers:
Various forms of modern slavery in which people can be held and exploited

  • The size of the problem and the risk to our organisation
  • How employees can identify the signs of slavery and human trafficking
  • How employees should respond if they suspect slavery or human trafficking
  • What external help is available for the victims of slavery

Safeguards

  • All employees must be over the age of 18 to commence employment, this is shown using either their passport, full British birth certificate or documents pertaining to their right to work such as a Home Office right to work check.
  • Procedural triggers are also in place that alert HR if more than two people live at the same address or share the same bank account.

 

This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and constitutes slavery and human trafficking statement for the financial year ending April 2022.