WorldShare Modern Slavery Statement

Our organisation

WorldShare is a Christian charity and a company limited by guarantee; whose mission is to partner with local Christians in the world’s neediest places, in their vision to bring about lasting social and spiritual transformation. By partnering with indigenous organisations, we are able to resource and equip them to bring about this transformational change. Through our alliance network we are connected to over 108 different ministry partners across 57 nations.

WorldShare is not required to prepare a modern slavery and human trafficking statement as we do not meet the threshold requirements under the Modern Slavery Act 205. However, we recognise the inherent dignity and worth of all people and take seriously our obligations to prevent slavery and human trafficking.

Modern slavery and human trafficking is a global problem which is estimated to affect almost 40 million [1] people worldwide. The focus of our work is to support those in the neediest places; therefore the Board welcomes the Modern Slavery Act and is pleased to set out in this statement our commitment to tackling slavery and trafficking, through our work.

Our approach to modern slavery and human trafficking

We value all people [2] as created in God’s image and loved by him. We value social and spiritual transformation because we believe that each person is a whole being. Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another in order to exploit them for personal or commercial gain. We have a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and we are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all our business dealings and relationships and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery is not taking place anywhere in our own organisation or in any of our supply chains.

Policies and procedure

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, trustees/directors, officers, agency workers, volunteers, interns, external consultants and mission and ministry partners.

A number of WorldShare policies and procedures are relevant and these are kept updated in accordance with our regular review process.

  • Concerns about human trafficking should be raised according to our Safeguarding (Safety of Children and Vulnerable Adults) policy or Making a Protected Disclosure (Whistleblowing) policy.
  • Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors, business partners and ministry partners at the outset of our relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.
  • Any staff member or representative who breaches this policy will face disciplinary action, which could result in dismissal for misconduct or gross misconduct.

Staff members are encouraged to raise concerns about any issue or suspicion of modern slavery in any parts of our organisation or supply chains of any supplier at the earliest possible stage.

Supply Chain / Supplier

One of WorldShare’s key themes is working to prevent injustice, so not only are we are strongly committed to work alongside those who are victims of slavery and human trafficking, but we are also committed to ensure that is not taking place in our partnerships, supply chains or in our organisation.

  • In the UK, we work to ensure that any suppliers are aligned to our policies and ethical standards. We review our suppliers at regular intervals. Any significant funding partnerships we engage in, will be subject to due diligence.
  • In our International work, we are working with our local ministry partners to ensure that all goods, services and any building work are sources in compliance with donor policies and all applicable laws.

Responsibilities

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it.

The Chief Executive has primary and day-to-day responsibility for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness, dealing with any queries about it and verifying internal control systems and procedures to ensure they are effective in countering modern slavery.

Line managers are responsible for ensuring those reporting to them understand and comply with this policy and are given adequate and regular training on it and the issue of modern slavery in supply chains.

Communication

Our zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery must be communicated to all suppliers, contractors and partners at the outset of our relationship with them and reinforced as appropriate thereafter.

Training

WorldShare board is committed to ensuring that staff are both of aware of and understand these policies. Staff inductions from January 2021 will include a section on modern slavery and trafficking. Including what it is, who is affected and what they should do if they suspect that modern slavery is taking place.

Going forward, WorldShare is committed to keeping its policies, procedures and training under review and updating these as necessary to continue its contribution to tackling modern slavery and human trafficking internationally.

This statement has been approved by the board of trustees of WorldShare 10/12/20 and will be reviewed every three years.