Bermondsey Carpet Cleaning Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Bermondsey Carpet Cleaning in respect of the financial year ending 31 December and sets out the steps we are taking to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business and supply chains. We recognise our responsibility to uphold and promote human rights and to identify, prevent, and address all forms of modern slavery.

Our Business and Supply Chains

Bermondsey Carpet Cleaning operates as a professional cleaning service provider, delivering carpet, upholstery, and related cleaning services to residential and commercial customers. Our supply chains include the sourcing of cleaning products, equipment, consumables, uniforms, and subcontracted services. We understand that risks related to modern slavery can exist at different tiers within these supply chains, particularly where products originate from higher-risk sectors or countries.

Zero-Tolerance Approach to Modern Slavery

We have a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of modern slavery, including forced labour, bonded labour, servitude, child labour, and human trafficking. This commitment applies to our own operations and to the conduct of our suppliers, contractors, and business partners. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity in all business relationships and to implementing effective controls and safeguards to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place anywhere within our sphere of influence.

Policies and Governance

Our approach to modern slavery is supported by internal policies that promote fair treatment, safe working conditions, and respect for fundamental rights. These policies include standards on recruitment, working hours, pay, equality, and health and safety. We expect our managers and supervisors to apply these standards consistently and to respond promptly to any concerns raised by workers or third parties.

Supplier Standards and Audits

We require our key suppliers and contractors to operate in accordance with all applicable labour and human rights laws and to align with our zero-tolerance stance on modern slavery. As part of our supplier onboarding and review processes, we assess the modern slavery risks in each relationship and reserve the right to decline or terminate relationships where adequate safeguards are not in place.

We conduct proportionate due diligence and, where appropriate, audits of higher-risk suppliers. These audits may include reviewing documentation, checking labour practices, and verifying that workers have freedom of movement, are paid fairly, and have not been subjected to coercion or exploitation. We expect suppliers to cooperate fully with our requests for information and to implement corrective actions promptly if any non-compliance is identified.

Training and Awareness

We are committed to raising awareness of modern slavery among our staff, particularly those involved in recruitment, procurement, and supplier management. Training and guidance are provided to help employees recognise signs of exploitation, understand our reporting routes, and appreciate the importance of acting swiftly and responsibly when concerns arise.

Reporting Concerns and Whistleblowing

We encourage all employees, suppliers, contractors, and other stakeholders to speak up if they suspect that modern slavery or human trafficking may be occurring in our operations or supply chains. Concerns can be raised through established internal reporting channels or directly to management. Reports can be made confidentially, and individuals raising genuine concerns will not suffer any retaliation as a result of doing so.

All reports are taken seriously and will be investigated promptly. Where necessary, we will work with relevant authorities or specialist organisations to address identified issues and to protect affected individuals.

Continuous Improvement and Annual Review

We recognise that combating modern slavery is an ongoing process requiring continuous improvement. Each year we will review this statement, our risk assessments, and our due diligence activities to ensure that our approach remains effective and appropriate to the nature and scale of our business. This review will consider changes to our operations, developments in best practice, and any lessons learned from incidents or investigations.

This Modern Slavery Statement has been approved by the leadership of Bermondsey Carpet Cleaning and will be updated and published annually to reflect our continuing commitment to eradicating modern slavery and human trafficking from our business and supply chains.