Modern Slavery

Modern Slavery

Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It takes various forms 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 in all our business dealings.

We are also committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners.Below we list out some ways in which a person could be exploited through Modern Slavery, and we also provide information on how to report a crime.

Types of exploitation

Domestic servitude

This involves a victim being forced to work in private households performing domestic chores and childcare duties. Their freedom may be restricted, and they may work long hours often for little or no pay, and sleep where they work.

Forced labour

Victims may be forced to work long hours for little or no pay in poor conditions under verbal or physical threats of violence to them or their families.

It can happen in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, laying driveways, hospitality, food packaging, agriculture, maritime and beauty (eg nail bars). Often victims are housed together in one dwelling.

Sexual exploitation

This includes sexual exploitation and sexual abuse, forced prostitution and the abuse of children for the production of child abuse images/videos.

Criminal exploitation

This can be understood as the exploitation of a person to commit a crime, such as pick-pocketing, shoplifting, cannabis cultivation, drug trafficking and other similar activities that are subject to penalties and imply financial gain for the trafficker.

Perpetrators force victims to claim benefits on arrival but the money is withheld, or the victim is forced to take out loans or credit cards. Cannabis cultivation is the highest category of criminal exploitation.

Other forms of exploitation

Other forms can include organ removal, forced begging, forced benefit fraud, forced marriage and illegal adoption.

Under UK legislation, all modern slavery offences can be punishable by a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

What is Bishopsgate doing to help tackle Modern Slavery?

Bishopsgate is committed to the eradication of Modern Slavery. We have several processes and policies in place that help ensure that our customers will not be exploited, these are but not limited to:

• Regular thorough vetting of our clients and suppliers ensuring that there have been no offences relating to modern slavery.
• Having zero tolerance to modern slavery crimes. Bishopsgate will not work with any clients, suppliers or contractors that have had any Modern Slavery offences.
• Bishopsgate will only pay into contractor personal bank accounts.
• Providing regular training for staff and customers for identifying the signs of modern slavery and human trafficking, and what steps should be taken if exploitation is suspected.

Reporting a Modern Slavery crime

If you think you are being exploited or someone else who is a victim of modern slavery you can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline here: 0800 0121 700

You can also call the police if there is an emergency on 999, or 101 for a non-emergency.

If you are unable to phone, you can also report via Victim Supports live chat service, or online form here.

Bishopsgate are always here to help too, and if you would prefer to contact us to report a crime you can by calling us on 0203 019 4990 or emailing compliance@bishopsgatepay.co.uk