Modern Slavery Act Declaration and Human Trafficking Statement

Axis Agency is committed to help in the fight against modern slavery. We recognise that all businesses have an obligation to prevent slavery and human trafficking and will do all in its power to do this within its business and the supply chains through which it operates.

Our Business

Axis is a multi-disciplinary medical recruitment agency supplying nurses, allied healthcare professionals, healthcare assistants and primary care staff to NHS Hospitals including the private medical sector and other public agencies such as HMPs across Northern Ireland.

Our Policies including on Slavery and Human Trafficking

Suppliers are expected to adhere to our Supplier Code of Conduct, which includes specific reference to the Act, and should have in place a policy recognising, respecting and protecting the human rights of their employees, those of their suppliers and business partners and the communities affected by the suppliers’ operations.

Employees should be free to choose to work for their employer and to leave the company upon reasonable notice.

All employees must be provided with a clear contract of employment, which complies with local legislation.

All employees must be treated in a fair and equal manner and with dignity and respect.

Any form of discrimination, victimisation or harassment on the grounds of marital or civil partnership status, sex (including gender reassignment), race (including ethnic, national origin and nationality), disability, sexual orientation, having or not having dependents, religious belief or political opinion, age, trade union activity and offending background should be prohibited.

All applicable laws and industry standards on employee wages, benefits, working hours and minimum age should be adhered to in all countries of operation, without any unauthorised deductions. Suppliers should observe the provisions of the International Labour Organization such that any young persons under the age of 18 should not be employed to work at night or for any hazardous work and their employment should not harm the young person’s education, health or physical, mental, moral or social development. No young persons should be employed below the age of 16.

All slavery and human trafficking laws must be complied with including, but not limited to, the Act. Suppliers must ensure their business operations are free from slavery and human trafficking practices whether in the Northern Ireland or elsewhere, both internally and within their supply chains and other external business relationships. We are committed to ensuring that there is no modern slavery or human trafficking in our supply chains or in any part of our business.

Process for Slavery and Human Trafficking

Axis ensures strict compliance checks are carried for all candidates it supplies. We verify the identity of each worker and their right to work before supply commences.

As part of our commitment to identify and eradicate slavery and human trafficking, we are undertaking due diligence on our supply chains to ensure compliance with legislative obligations and will continue and evolve this process in future years.

Axis employees have access to dedicated channels through which they may voice concerns, either through local reporting mechanisms or through the whistleblowing procedure. Axis is committed to protecting employees when disclosing malpractice and will ensure that all disclosures made in good faith will be treated confidentially and without fear of retaliation.

Any identified concerns regarding modern slavery and human trafficking would be escalated as part of the Axis safeguarding process and in conjunction with the relevant agencies; such as the Local Authority and Police.

Training

Axis transparent approach ensures that all candidates are treated equally and fairly. Pay rates are in the main set by our Framework Agreements and therefore consistent irrespective of background, gender or ethnicity. As an employer dedicated to education and safeguarding, Axis has a dedicated Compliance and HR team whose aim is to keep our workforce updated and educated to potential risks and threats alongside legislation changes. We have undertaken to review our policies and procedures to ensure our colleagues have access to any additional information and support they may require with regard to human trafficking, forced labour, servitude and slavery. Further training will be provided as required, which is an area that remains under review.

This declaration is in accordance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Dated: January 2025

Signed on behalf of Axis Nursing Agency Ltd:

Signed: Rajini Chada, Director