1Introduction

Fonz Leather Styles Ltd. (“FLS Ltd.”, “we”, “us”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of ethical business practices. This Modern Slavery Policy outlines our commitment to ensuring that slavery, human trafficking, and exploitation do not occur in our operations or within our supply chain.

This policy is in line with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and covers all aspects of our business, including our suppliers, employees, and contractors. FLS Ltd. acknowledges the importance of acting responsibly and proactively to combat modern slavery in all its forms, including forced labour, child labour, and human trafficking.

2Legal and regulatory framework

FLS Ltd. complies fully with the requirements of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, which requires businesses to take steps to prevent modern slavery in their supply chains. As part of our commitment to transparency and ethical operations, we are required by law to make our policies regarding modern slavery available to the public.

In addition to the Modern Slavery Act, FLS Ltd. abides by all applicable UK laws and regulations aimed at preventing human trafficking and forced labour, including international laws relating to workers’ rights, child protection, and anti-trafficking measures.

3Our commitment to ethical sourcing

FLS Ltd. takes a firm stance against modern slavery and human trafficking in any form. We expect all our suppliers, business partners, and subcontractors to adhere to the same ethical standards and to comply with all applicable laws.

As part of our efforts to combat modern slavery, FLS Ltd. undertakes regular audits of all leather factories and suppliers in our supply chain. These audits ensure that our suppliers uphold the highest standards of fairness, equality, and legal compliance.

We only partner with manufacturers who have demonstrated a commitment to ethical working conditions, including fair wages, safe working environments, and the prohibition of forced or child labour.

4Auditing and compliance with UK law

FLS Ltd. conducts thorough audits on all leather factories and suppliers we work with to ensure full compliance with UK law, as well as international labour standards. These audits cover all areas, including:

• Working conditions: ensuring all factories provide a safe, healthy, and legally compliant working environment.
• Employment contracts: verifying that all workers are employed with a lawful, written contract, and are provided with appropriate compensation for their work.
• Wages and benefits: confirming that workers receive wages that meet or exceed the legal minimum standards, and that they are paid on time.
• Child and forced labour: ensuring that no form of child or forced labour is used at any point in our supply chain.
• Freedom of association: verifying that workers have the right to join unions, bargain collectively, and express their views freely.

Each leather factory within our supply chain is fully compliant with these standards, ensuring that no instance of modern slavery exists within their operations.

5Our due diligence process

In addition to regular audits, FLS Ltd. follows a comprehensive due diligence process when selecting suppliers and manufacturers. This includes:

• Supplier selection: we conduct thorough research into the ethical practices of all suppliers before entering into any contractual agreements.
• Supplier agreements: our contracts with suppliers contain specific provisions requiring compliance with all applicable labour laws, including the prohibition of forced labour and child labour.
• Ongoing monitoring: we continuously monitor the practices of our suppliers through regular audits and reviews of compliance documentation.

6Employee awareness and training

We provide training for all employees on modern slavery risks and how they can contribute to identifying and preventing modern slavery within our supply chain. Employees are encouraged to report any concerns regarding unethical practices in the workplace or within our supply chain to senior management.

7Reporting concerns

If any individual within FLS Ltd. or our supply chain suspects modern slavery, human trafficking, or exploitation, they are encouraged to report their concerns immediately. All reports will be treated confidentially, and whistleblowers will be protected from any retaliation under FLS Ltd.’s Whistleblower Policy.

To report any concerns, please contact [Insert contact details here], or use the confidential email address: [Insert email address here].

8Ongoing commitment and review

FLS Ltd. is committed to continuously reviewing and improving its practices and policies to combat modern slavery. Our efforts include:

• Reviewing our supply chain regularly to ensure that we are not inadvertently supporting modern slavery or human trafficking.
• Regularly auditing and assessing our policies to align with the latest developments in human rights law and industry best practices.
• Engaging with external organisations and industry groups to stay informed on effective strategies for preventing modern slavery in supply chains.

9Conclusion

FLS Ltd. is dedicated to operating with integrity and transparency, and we recognise the vital importance of combating modern slavery in all its forms. We are committed to ensuring that all our business operations and those of our suppliers comply fully with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and all other relevant laws.

By working with our suppliers, stakeholders, and employees, we aim to create an ethical and sustainable future for the leather industry.