This statement is made pursuant to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “MSA”). It sets out what has done to ensure that slavery and human trafficking is not taking place in supply chains or in any part of the business.
VAfrica also complies with the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. This Charter reaffirms, with due regard for the powers and tasks of the European Union and for the principle of subsidiarity, the rights as they result, in particular, from the constitutional traditions and international obligations common to the Member States, the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the Social Charters adopted by the Union and by the Council of Europe and the case-law of the Court of Justice of the European Communities and of the European Court of Human Rights.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE, BUSINESS AND SUPPLY CHAINS
VAfrica has the core purpose to create a media platform for the youth of VAfrica, secure the financial and editorial independence of VAfrica in perpetuity, with subsidiary aims to champion its principles and to promote citizen Journalism in the UK and Africa.
We produce high-quality media content and create platforms funded through a combination of advertising, sponsorship, funding and our Limited company Inphotopia.com. Our online magazines have a global reach and we volunteers in the UK and Africa together with contributor’s from around the world. The VAfrica website (optimised for desktop, tablet and mobile).
We procure many different services from a variety of suppliers. Our supply chains currently relate mainly to the following activities: Education, On line publishing, events services, IT, infrastructure and transport, recruitment and training, customer services, marketing/advertising.
POLICIES IN RELATION TO SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Our organisation works to minimise the risk of modern slavery and human rights violations across our entire operation and supply chains. VAfrica has a history of engaging with human rights issues more broadly, which frames our activity around reducing the risk of slavery and human trafficking. VAfrica Values were developed in recognition of the fact that we rely on suppliers and partners, and we do not always have direct control over our impact on the environment and people.
VAfrica incorporates the findings of the United Nations Global Compact 10 principles and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. VAfrica Values provide the framework against which an ethical assessment of our suppliers will be measured, further details are set out below. They have been reviewed and updated so that they reflect the MSA and make explicit reference to the requirements to combat modern slavery.
For example, they state that suppliers must meet all existing international and national legislation and regulations regarding health and safety, including modern slavery. They commit us to identifying high risks areas for potential violation of human rights abuse in their operation, our own operation and supply chain, with focus on bonded, forced or slave labour.
VAfrica is a Living Wage Employer and has a strong relationship with NGO’s and grass roots organisations. All contract signatories have been informed that the relevant MSA clauses must be inserted into any supplier terms and conditions prior to signature.
